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11 Assists In 39 Games – This Ligue1 Defender Would Be The Ideal Signing For Liverpool To Kick Off The Summer Window

Benjamin Mendy
Benjamin Mendy (left)

Three Reasons Why Benjamin Mendy Would Be A Great Signing For Liverpool

Liverpool are back in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 on the final day of the Premier League to finish 4th in the standings and earn a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

While it marks a great improvement on the previous campaign when they finished out of the places for both the European competitions, Jurgen Klopp still has plenty of work to be done if they are to establish themselves as challengers for the title again and that starts with the upcoming transfer window. Liverpool, despite all their attacking prowess, have several areas on the pitch that need to be strengthened ahead of the next campaign and one such area is the left-back position.

The Reds have utilised midfielder James Milner as the makeshift left-sided full-back this season and the veteran Englishman has done a sterling job in his new role. However, the increased number of matches for next season combined with Milner’s age means Liverpool will need to bring in a new left-back who can slot into the first team straight away. While a lot of players have been linked in recent months, the name that excites fans the most is AS Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy.

As per reports from Daily Star transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, the Reds are plotting a swoop for Mendy, despite their ongoing negotiations with Fulham over the signature of 17-year old Ryan Sessegnon.

The 22-year old Mendy has been a key performer for Les Monegasques this term, with them winning the French Ligue1 and progressing to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. He finished the season with one goal and 11 assists from 39 games across all competitions. And here are three reasons why Liverpool will be hugely benefited from signing the Frenchman in the summer:

Experience At Young Age

Mendy, despite his young age of 22, has managed to accumulate a total of 204 appearances at the club level already. Having begun his professional career with Le Havre, Mendy had been a part of the first-team since the year he signed his first contract in 2011. In 2013, he joined Ligue1 side Marseille, where he once again became an important player, before joining Monaco last summer.

More than 200 club appearances at such a young age highlights the amount of experience that he has collected so early in his career, and also gives an insight into his amazing fitness levels. To put that into perspective, Daniel Sturridge, at the age of 27-years old has managed just 50 more career appearances at club level. This will definitely hold Mendy in good stead and will also help Liverpool a great deal.

Proven On The European Stages

Mendy this season, played a vital role in AS Monaco’s progression to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. The 22-year old made 7 appearances in the premiere event of European football and managed a return of 4 assists. He has represented Marseille previously on the European levels in both Champions League and Europa League and has done fairly well too.

With Liverpool returning to the Champions League for the next season, they will need to bring in someone who knows what it takes to perform at that level and Mendy certainly has the knowledge of that, which will greatly benefit Liverpool.

Fits The Style of Play

Liverpool, under Klopp, have deployed an ultra-attacking approach to their play and have become known for the high intensity, gegenpressing style of play. Mendy will be a perfect fit into the system for the Reds.

The 22-year old is a complete modern day full-back who loves to romp forward all the time and has the pace and the dribbling abilities to beat his man on the flanks. His passing and crossing allow him to create chances in plenty. The fact that he is so quick, allows him to cover ground quickly and get into good defensive positions when possession is turned over. Mendy is young, extremely fast and has proven that he has what it takes to make it to the big leagues, making him an excellent addition for Liverpool if they sign him.