Enzo Fernandez has been one of the breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup, and Liverpool are said to be keeping a close eye on the Argentinian midfielder.
It’s long been believed Jude Bellingham has been Liverpool’s top target when it comes to restructuring their midfield in 2023. But Fernandez offers a quality alternative.
The 21-year-old is nominally a defensive midfielder, but he also possesses the skillset to burst forward and make things happen in the final third. He only moved to Benfica from River Plate in the summer but has already become an integral player for the Portuguese side.
Fernandez has shone for in-form Benfica this season, prior to having a storming World Cup with his country. Benfica remain unbeaten in all competitions; they topped their Champions League group, finishing ahead of PSG, while they’re running away at the top of the Primeira Liga, with 12 wins from 13.
No player in the Portuguese top flight – nor any of Europe’s big five leagues – has completed more passes than Fernandez in 2022-23 so far. He’s at the centre of everything that Roger Schmidt’s Eagles are doing so well this season.
“Remember this guy because next summer he will go to one of the biggest teams in Europe, I’m sure. Really good player, he’s only 21, he has great potential,” said former Argentina right-back Pablo Zabaleta, speaking as a pundit on BBC.
“One of Fernandez’s most valuable qualities is his versatility,” Argentinian football expert Dan Edwards told This Is Anfield.
“Over the course of his career he’s played defensive, centre and attacking midfield and on both wings, and one of the hallmarks of this World Cup has been his ability to shift roles even within a match to fit the team’s needs, dropping back or moving forward 10 yards, opening or closing the game as the situation demands.
“He could be a holding man with brilliant range and passing, or a mobile playmaker, or anything in between, and I’m sure his engine and stamina in particular would be a virtue in Klopp’s press as he just does not seem to tire.”
But how does he compare to the options currently at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal? We’ve delved into the stats to see how he stacks up against the Reds midfielders this season.
Here’s how his output from the Primeira Liga this season compares to the corresponding Premier League numbers of Harvey Elliott, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones and Thiago Alcantara.
Goals
Enzo Fernandez – 1
Harvey Elliott…
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