Goncalves: Who is the goalscoring midfielder Liverpool are chasing?

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 11 Aug 2021 14:18 BST
• 2 min read

Liverpool have reportedly made ‘informal contact’ over the availability of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Pedro Goncalves ahead of a possible move this summer.

According to Record, the Portuguese club are keen to retain the 22-year-old’s services. They’ll be in for a battle given his impressive form this season, but are believed to be protected by €60m release clause.

Goncalves has scored 14 goals in just 15 games this season, and as such it seems as though Jurgen Klopp is now keen to get him to Anfield to help bolster his squad for next season.

But that then poses an important question that undoubtedly needs answered: What would he offer the current Premier League champions?

A superb goal threat

Portuguese football, and particularly Lisbon clubs Sporting and Benfica, have a long history of producing quality young players.

Goncalves is the latest example, though he isn’t a product of Sporting’s academy having been signed from Familiand in the summer. Anyone who signs him will have to be aware of a sell on clause.

He is really showing his quality, though. This is his breakout Primeira Liga campaign, despite playing 32 games last season, having taken it by storm with his aforementioned goals total and two assists so far.

What would Goncalves offer Liverpool?

If the Reds lacked anything, even at their best and before this recent run of difficult results, it was progression from deep. Klopp’s midfield is energetic and functional, but designed to get the ball to the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah rather than contribute goals to the team themselves.

Goncalves is young, which will compliment his ageing teammates in similar positions, dynamic and technically superb. He would be the perfect man to bring to Anfield if Klopp is looking for a rebuild after a difficult title defence.