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There were certainly some raised eyebrows when Liverpool approved a £ 40 million deal for Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese came to Anfield after a solid season at Molineux that saw him score seven goals and assist one in 34 games. The move to a club like Liverpool can be overwhelming for some players, but during Jurgen Klopp’s reign the club has enjoyed several success stories buying from lower-ranked clubs.
Jota is the most recent example of that, with the former FC Porto and Atlético de Madrid winger scoring nine goals in his first 15 games for the club.
The question arises, with the Wolves set to face the Reds at Anfield on Sunday; Is there another player who can make a successful jump to Anfield?
Much has been made of Jurgen Klopp’s defensive crisis this season. The 53-year-old has been affected by serious injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, as well as minor complaints from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson.
Unsurprisingly, the club has been seen linked with a number of defensive recruits ahead of the January transfer window, including RB Leipzig’s pair Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate, and Schalke04 Ozan Kabak.
If Klopp is willing to take a closer look, then you may want to consider Max Kilman. The 23-year-old has had an interesting path to the Premier League after spending time on the Fulham and Gillingham books as a youngster.
He entered senior soccer with Welling United before joining Maidenhead in 2015. He combined his career outside of the league with playing futsal part-time and even represented England 25 times between 2015 and 2018 before signing for the Wolves for a non-fee. revealed.
“In Spain and Brazil they grow up playing futsal”, he told the BBC. “When they reach 13 or 14, they make the decision to go to football or to stay in futsal. In England it’s pure football. There may be the occasional futsal session if it’s cold or raining outside.
“From a young age it is very important. Futsal is a very tactical game and is played in a short space, so it improves your awareness and your decision making. It makes you think faster and make better decisions under pressure. playing 11 a side, he feels more comfortable and has more time with the ball. “
It’s easy to see the influence futsal has had on Kilman. The defender is well aware of the mental advantage it has given him, but it has also helped his ball technique. Kilman has earned praise for his ability to play from behind, and that’s a vital requirement for any defender Klopp tries to sign.
This season, among centers with at least 400 minutes played, Kilman is ranked 12th in key passes every 90 minutes (0.15) and fourth in his precise passes to the final third percentage (80.85%). It was also his long pass against Leeds that freed Raúl Jiménez for the only goal of the game (largely due to a brilliant individual play by the Mexican and a deflection).
The fact that Kilman can also play as a left back is an advantage, especially given Liverpool’s unfortunate luck with injuries this season. Among center-backs with at least 400 minutes played in the Premier League this season, Kilman is ranked 24th in successful defensive actions every 90 minutes, ahead of players like Conor Coady and Toby Alderweireld (source: Wyscout).
A little less impressive is his aerial duel winning percentage this season, which is 45%, which puts him 47th in the league among center-backs with at least 400 minutes played. In Kilman’s defense, when expanded throughout his career, he produces a respectable 62.1% win rate.
It’s also not unfair to say that Kilman has looked more stable in a back three than in a back four, but some of that could be because he is adjusting to top-notch football and the new environment. One of their only real flaws this season was against Leicester City, when they conceded a stiff penalty for handball.
Overall, it is clear that the defender has a bright future ahead of him. The fact that he has played only 19 times for Wolves indicates how new he is to the Premier League. It may seem a bit early for the jump to Anfield, but there’s no denying that Kilman is one to watch. Liverpool have never shied away from making bold moves in the transfer market, and signing a player who started out of the league would be just that.
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