So far, Liverpool have mostly focused their transfer activity and signings to attacking players, with the trend continuing a they turn their attention to Jorginho (also known as Jorge Luiz Frello Filho), the young Brazilian-Italian midfielder from Hellas Verona.
The 21 year old central midfielder was born in Brazil, but has been playing for the Verona youth team for quite some time, and has opted to play for the Italian national team up to this point, earning one cap at the U-21 level (which doesn’t make him ineligible for the Brazilian national team at this point).
He’s used to playing in the 4-3-3 system, the formation which Rodgers would prefer to see for Liverpool (which is why he’s purchasing all these forwards who can play on the wings and in the middle), and can fill in any role in the midfield line, although he’s at his best when he’s the 50/50 type, instead of focusing too much on defense or attack.
In any case, Jorginho has yet to play a match at Serie A level, which means that even if purchased, there’s a good chance it’ll take some time for the player to find himself starting and playing substantial minutes for Liverpool, although their depth at the midfield is slightly lacking compared to what they have a bit further up the field.
The lack of success (mostly due to bad luck) of Fabio Borini during his debut season at Liverpool might tell us that young players from the Italian leagues are destined for immediate success in the Premier League, but Jorginho isn’t going to come cheaply. He’ll probably cost at least £8 million, although with Liverpool possibly loaning him back on the spot might help them get a better deal for the player.
Rodgers is mostly about young players, even a bit too young, for a team that might find itself with too many players in key positions barely beyond their teenage years, and too reliant on the experience of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Daniel Agger.