Liverpool must beat Barcelona to $54m transfer after I saw 'target' thrive in intense atmosphere

Liverpool and Barcelona reportedly have a transfer target in common. Having seen him in action, I would urge Michael Edwards to get a move on and strike a deal.
Late last month, I travelled over 700 miles to Milan to watch Atalanta midfielder Éderson in action at the San Siro. The Brazilian star is enjoying the best season in his professional career and is now drawing interest from clubs across European football.

The 24-year-old first arrived in Italy back in 2022 after signing for Salernitana from Corinthians for around $7m (£5.5m/€6.5m). Fast forward to the present day, Éderson is valued at almost seven times that after already scoring more goals throughout the 2023/24 than he has managed across the last four seasons combined.

Previously, Italian outlet Gazzetta had reported that Liverpool had joined the likes of Manchester United, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal in registering an interest in the player. Those links made sense given his considerable talent.

Now, Liverpool has been mentioned once again in connection with the midfielder. However, Fichajes reports that the Reds have plenty of competition, with Barcelona having added Éderson to its 'list' ahead of the summer. Suitors expect to face a starting price of around $54m (£43m/€50m).

It was a tasty affair in the making on between AC Milan — then in third — and Atalanta, who sat just two places behind Stefano Pioli's side in the Serie A table. With helicopters circling, flares going off and Éderson's away fans tucked away in the upper tier of the 98-year-old stadium, it was an atmosphere that would consume most players.

A quick-fire Rafael Leão goal in just the third minute of action only added to the pressure mounting on the Atalanta starting line-up, which included Éderson in his familiar double pivot role with captain Marten de Roon. However, what followed throughout the game surprised me.

It was a difficult match for Éderson and his teammates, who could merely watch on as the host enjoyed the vast majority of possession, which stood at 68 per cent on the evening. While the Brazilian was limited in what he could do on the ball, he offered a reliable layer of protection for his defense as the likes of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Leão attempted to add to the lead. Éderson battled well throughout the game, recording six successful ground duels and four tackles won throughout the game.

When he wasn't breaking play up and frustrating the Milan players, he was offering a moment of relief for his teammates through his composure on the ball and awareness of those around him. He completed 21 of his 25 passes on the evening, including a 100 per cent success rate on long balls.

Elsewhere, after retrieving the ball in his third of the pitch, he would also use his body well to draw fouls from opposing players. Once again, that relieved the pressure his team was under so regularly throughout the match.

It wasn't a vintage game in terms of his output, but his talents were clear to see. Éderson is an intelligent midfielder who would offer Liverpool defensive reinforcement in the middle of the pitch, the ability to retain the ball when in possession, and at his best, an attacking threat as he drifts into the penalty area.

Liverpool will get a first-hand look at how Éderson fares against one of the best teams in Europe when it plays Atalanta in the Europa League quarter-finals. It's one of a couple of intriguing scouting possibilities presented by the draw.

Éderson has also been tipped to thrive under the pressures of Premier League action by his former manager Tiago Nunes, after he spoke to Sky Sports regarding the Brazilian's style of play. "He has two main strengths," he said.

"Firstly, on the pitch, he has great physical strength, with the ability to play box-to-box, back and forth, sustaining the pace of the game. Secondly, he has a very strong mentality, with a very clear awareness of what he wants.

"He has the ability and the physicality to handle the pace of the game [in England]. He is a very vertical player with a lot of pace in the final third of the pitch. This is a player with very particular characteristics who can develop even more in a league as strong as the Premier League."

[url]Football Livescore[/url]https://live3.bola010.com/