Liverpool will be glad they don’t have to face Kaoru Mitoma again this season. The Japanese international has been a constant threat during the Reds’ three meetings with Brighton.
Mitoma scored the goal which ended Liverpool’s defence of the FA Cup last weekend, and has continually tormented their players with his nifty footwork. Per OptaJoe, he has completed 10 dribbles against the Reds this season, the most of any opponent.
His impressive form this season means it will take a large transfer fee to prise him from Brighton, just as it will for the likes of Moises Caicedo. Liverpool supporters often say their club should sign players of this standard before they reach the Premier League, and a new transfer link suggests the Reds may be looking to do just that.
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Mike McGrath of The Daily Telegraph has tweeted regarding the future of LASK forward Keito Nakamura, noting he is set to remain in Austria at present. However, McGrath also stated: “Liverpool & Brighton have sent scouts to watch him his season (8 goals+3 assists/15 apps) & will monitor him.”
History suggests the Seagulls are the far likelier to make a move. The Reds signed Takumi Minamino from Salzburg in 2020 (and teenage striker Besian Idrizaj in 2005) but have had greater success with players who have appeared in the Austrian Bundesliga then gone elsewhere first: Sadio Mane primarily and Naby Keita to a lesser extent.
It’s not a market in which Liverpool traditionally deal. Nonetheless, his numbers suggest Nakamura has outgrown that league and may be ready to test himself at a higher level.
In-depth data for Austrian football is hard to obtain although Fotmob have some interesting statistics. They carry 28 metrics for outfield players and Nakamura is in LASK’s top three for 19 of them, highlighting his importance to their team (which currently sits third in the table). That their goal difference has been +14 with him on the pitch and -5 without speaks volumes.
The 22-year-old is LASK’s top player for both expected goals and expected assists this season, which takes some doing. There are only three men in the Premier League who can say the same at their clubs: Jarrod Bowen at West Ham, Demarai Gray with Everton and Ivan Toney at Brentford.
Like his countryman Mitoma, Nakamura is a fine dribbler and his success rate has tripled from 0.7 per 90 minutes last season to 2.3 in 2022/23. Per Opta Analyst, he is also the top man in Austria for chance creating carries (which is dribbling at least 5m with the ball then either having a shot or playing a key pass), with 30. Five of them have led to a goal or assist, which is two more than the entire Liverpool squad has mustered this season.
Nakamura appears to be improving in many facets of his game, with his shooting and shot accuracy rates increasing since last season. His figures for goal attempts and chances created per 90 minutes are also both above those of Benjamin Sesko, the Salzburg forward with whom Liverpool have been linked in the past.
One area in which Nakamura has seen a dip is recovering possession in the final third. Even so, his rate of 0.8 per 90 would still be the second best in the Liverpool squad this season and at least 0.3 above any of the forwards. While the Reds appear to be transitioning towards a mid-block set up rather than a ferocious high press, the LASK man looks to have the defensive abilities they require.
As a left winger by trade, Nakamura isn't a player Liverpool currently need as it is the best-stocked position in their attack. He is flexible though, with experience across the front line and also as an attacking midfielder. If the Reds were to secure him before his price rises, they may be able to mould him into whatever Jurgen Klopp requires for the years ahead.
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