{"id":1183171,"date":"2021-01-03T19:20:27","date_gmt":"2021-01-03T19:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1183171"},"modified":"2021-01-03T19:20:27","modified_gmt":"2021-01-03T19:20:27","slug":"liverpool-transfer-news-sven-botman-stats","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/liverpool-transfer-news-sven-botman-stats\/","title":{"rendered":"Another one from Fonte’s finishing school? Liverpool linked to a ‘machine who doesn’t make mistakes’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool’s rumoured hunt for a centre-back is said to have led them to Lille youngster Sven Botman.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jurgen Klopp’s defending champions currently top the Premier League but their lead over Man Utd has been slashed to goal difference after consecutive draws with West Brom (1-1) and Newcastle United (0-0).<\/p>\n

Given the attacking riches at their disposal, Liverpool’s record of just one goal across those two games is expected to be a mere blip. However, one cause for genuine concern at Anfield is the fitness of the Reds’ centre-backs.<\/p>\n

Fabinho has had to deputise alongside Joel Matip, who was Liverpool’s last remaining fit senior central defender, in the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. But Matip is now also out for three weeks<\/a>, too, having been injured in the home draw against West Brom.<\/p>\n

As such, reports now suggest Botman is Liverpool’s most likely target in the January window. The 20-year-old even posted a story on his Instagram page suggesting he is working on some kind of business with his agency, Muy Manero.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat they\u2019re working on, according to my information, is a deal for a player who\u2019d be significantly cheaper (than Dayot Upamencano) and that\u2019s Sven Botman, who is in first his season at Lille,” journalist Duncan Castles claimed on the Transfer Window Podcast<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\u201cLille have very difficult financial difficulties. My understanding is that Lille would be willing to sell the player probably for twice and a little bit more than what they paid Ajax for him in the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you\u2019re looking at a 20-year-old just turning international defender who has fantastic statistical attributes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy information is that they have been calling and speaking to Botman\u2019s agent and that Botman\u2019s agent likes the sound of the conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who is Sven Botman?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the six months since he joined Lille from Ajax, Botman has been one of Ligue 1’s most dominant defenders in terms of certain one-on-one duels. Only four players in the French top-flight have won more than his 65 aerial duels this season, for instance.<\/p>\n

The Badhoevedorp native also appears to possess a reading of the game beyond his years, having produced elite output in terms of interceptions and success in 50-50 duels.<\/p>\n

\n

396 players have contested 20+ duels in Ligue 1 so far this season, Sven Botman has the highest success rate:<\/p>\n

\u25ce 143 contested
\u25ce 105 duels won
\u25c9 73.4% success rate<\/p>\n

Lille don't seem to miss. ? pic.twitter.com\/TiNMWFfTQh<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) January 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n