Liverpool’s Summer Dilemma: A Left-Sided Defender Search

There’s two names that keep cropping up at the moment. Liverpool’s hunt for a reliable left-sided defender has been an ongoing narrative, and as the next transfer window looms, two names stand out. Alvaro Carreras, a rising star at Benfica, and Rayan Aït-Nouri of Wolves are likely to be the key contenders. But who suits Liverpool’s requirements better? Let’s dig deeper into their stats and consider their potential fit at Anfield. Robertson will have a year left on his contract and Tsimikas seems unlikely to be staying around the way it’s going.

Alvaro Carreras: A New Name with Promise

Alvaro Carreras, the former Manchester United full-back, has emerged as a new prospect, with his start at Benfica catching the eye of many. Although relatively untested, Carreras has shown promising numbers in his short spell, especially in comparison to more established names.

Looking at his statistics, Carreras has completed 65% of his attempted dribbles and managed to find a teammate with 80% of his passes. These numbers underline his capability in possession, crucial for a club like Liverpool that demands its full-backs to participate heavily in offensive build-ups. Defensively, Carreras has won 63.6% of his ground duels and a solid 66.7% of his aerial duels, showcasing his ability to handle himself physically in key matchups.

However, there’s a caveat: the sample size is small. Carreras’ consistency over the rest of the season will be critical to determine whether he can maintain this form, and that’s where the concerns lie. Benfica has benefitted from his contributions, but it remains to be seen if Liverpool will take the rumoured £42 million plunge on such a relatively unproven player. Given their budgetary constraints and Carreras’ limited track record, such a fee may feel excessive. However, a lot of the metrics are there.

Rayan Aït-Nouri: An Established Target

On the other hand, Rayan Aït-Nouri has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time. The Wolves defender has been touted as a long-term solution for Liverpool’s left-back position and there was surprise from many that Liverpool never follows through on their interest this summer. Aït-Nouri is known for his front-footed, aggressive defending, a quality highly valued by Arne Slot’s system.

Paul Gorst recently mentioned on the Blood Red Podcast:

“I think Aït-Nouri might be the one Liverpool are looking at in terms of their long-term left-back plans, I’ve not had that communicated to me, but he’s 22, he’s fairly young. It seems like Wolves are a good breeding ground to see how a player performs in the Premier League.”

Aït-Nouri’s contract situation has been the subject of debate, with many believing he only has a year left. However, Wolves do have a one-year option to extend his deal, likely pushing the expiration date to 2027, which may affect Liverpool’s bargaining power.

Aït-Nouri vs Carreras: Head-to-Head

When comparing the two statistically, it’s clear that Carreras has outperformed Aït-Nouri in several key metrics this season, even though the sample sizes differ.

• Aerial duels: Aït-Nouri’s success rate in aerial duels stands at 44.4%, whereas Carreras boasts a much higher 66.7%. This suggests that Carreras may be more effective in dealing with set pieces and long balls, a critical component in the Premier League.
• Challenges: Aït-Nouri is behind in the challenge success metricwith a Tkl% of 57.1%, while Carreras is slightly more than ahead at 63.6%. This difference hints at Carreras ability to time his tackles well, but Ait-Nouri isn’t far off, and his premier league experience could be telling against a younger player in Portugal.
• Possession and passing: Carreras has touched the ball 511 times compared to Aït-Nouri’s 353, reflecting his increased involvement in build-up play. His pass success rate of 60% exceeds Aït-Nouri’s 50%, demonstrating his strength in advancing the play from deep.

It’s also hard not to take into account that one is playing in a team rock bottom of the Oremier League and one near the top of the table in Portugal. There’s a huge variation there and with seven league games each that needs to be considered too.

What’s Next for Liverpool?

There’s no doubt that Liverpool will be looking to bolster their left-sided defensive options this summer. It could be a left-sided defender as opposed to an out and out left-back, but that does seem to be what Slot is seeking for Robertson and Tsimikas to do. Any hybrid hopes whilst still in existent are more that than confident.

While Aït-Nouri provides a proven Premier League pedigree and fits the profile Liverpool has historically pursued, Carreras could offer a fresh, dynamic alternative—albeit with risk. Liverpool’s decision will ultimately depend on how each player performs during the rest of the season. If Carreras can maintain his form and prove himself consistently in the second half of the campaign, he may just emerge as a cost-effective option. However, at £42 million, his price could prove too steep for a club often meticulous with its spending.

Aït-Nouri’s situation remains intriguing. With his contract potentially extending to 2027, Liverpool may have to shell out a significant fee to secure him. But for a player who has already established himself in the Premier League, it could be a safer bet. Only time will tell, but the summer transfer window promises to be fascinating as Liverpool looks to fill a vital gap on the left side of their defence.