Unbelievable midfielder confirms he's ready to join Liverpool

An exciting midfielder has just showed he's ready to join Liverpool.

It is expected that Andoni Iraola will herald a completely new era at Anfield. Back are the days of hard-work, when a team is expected to press aggressively and run their socks off.

Back is heavy metal football with exciting counterpressing schemes and wonderful eye-catching attacking football.

It's going to be a breath of fresh air compared to the mind-numbingly dull football that Liverpool fans became accustomed to playing under Arne Slot.

Of course, everything has to be taken with caution for now. Iraola hasn't started yet. But the promise he showed and the football Bournemouth played under him is really exciting.

If he can implement that at Liverpool, the Reds are going to be in for a treat. Until then, Liverpool do have a lot of work ahead of them. Particularly in the transfer market.

This is a squad that not only needs reinforcements but it also needs the right profiles for Iraola to succeed.

The area where Liverpool likely need the most reinforcements will be in midfield. Because that is where Liverpool have lacked the most energy and that is where Liverpool are going to need the most energy next season.

Alexis Mac Allister in particular doesn't feel like a good fit for the physical demands required to make Iraola's football successful. He is someone whose situation is one to keep an eye on this summer. Especially as Liverpool are yet to extend his contract.

Curtis Jones is another who could be on his way out. Although Inter Milan seem to be very much haggling for the transfer fee to bring the English international to the San Siro.

Combine that with the amount of business Liverpool will have to do elsewhere, particularly in the attacking and defensive areas, which will likely involve Yan Diomande, who is going to cost a fortune, Liverpool are need to be smarter in how they invest the money they have.

It's going to mean exploring new markets and finding bargains where other clubs might not be sniffing around or where the clubs who own the players themselves do not have as much of a bargaining power as more established leagues and teams.

Fortunately, thinking outside the box has long been one of the hallmarks of Michael Edwards and Liverpool’s recruitment department.

And there's one name who fits this criteria and who confirmed on the highest of stages that he's ready to join a club like Liverpool.

Christ Inao Oulai may not have been a familiar name to many fans prior to his performance at the World Cup against Germany but he is someone who Liverpool have kept a close eye on for a while.

Anfield Watch understands club scout Barry Hunter has flown over a few times last season to watch Oulai in action for Trabzonspor and he has strong admirers within the club’s recruitment team.

The 19-year-old is one of the most exciting young midfield talents emerging in Europe and has all the attributes to become a household name in the years ahead.

Currently playing for Trabzonspor, Oulai first began attracting attention during his breakthrough performances in Ligue 2, where he impressed despite still being in his teenage years. Since making the move to Turkey, he has continued his rapid development and established himself as one of the brightest prospects in the Super Lig.

Oulai is not the tallest but he is very strong and has exceptional athleticism, work rate and game intelligence. His ability to cover ground is remarkable, allowing him to influence every phase of play. There are moments when he seems to be everywhere at once, constantly offering himself as an option in possession while also closing down opponents out of it.

That profile makes him an ideal fit for the kind of high-intensity, pressing football Liverpool are expected to prioritise and perfect for Iraola's system.

Oulai's best quality is also the way he is able to progress the ball and be so comfortable under pressure.

He showcased that against Germany, where he confirmed that he was ready to make the leap to Anfield, holding his own and actually being one of the best players on the pitch that contained absolute superstars, particularly in the Germany squad.

But Oulai's performance was not an outlier.

He is this good.

Here’s some of his key stats from the Turkiye Super Lig:

• 5th among central midfielders for passes into the final third (7.16 per 90 minutes).

• 2nd among central midfielders who average at least five passes into the final third for accuracy (82.5%).

• 2nd among central midfielders for passing accuracy (90.25%).

• 1st among central midfielders for progressive runs (2.26 per 90 minutes).

For a player who is still 20, Oulai possesses a rare combination of energy, technical quality and tactical intelligence. Germany was not the first example of him proving his value at a higher level either.

Coming up against France in a friendly before the World Cup, Oulai came on to play the last 22 minutes of the match for his country Ivory Coast and he helped his side to victory - all while winning the most tackles in the entire game (4).

A player winning four tackles in the space of 22 minutes up against such a quality midfield like France, is a player who is absolutely ready to join Liverpool. Particularly after his performance against Germany which only confirmed it further.

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