Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is reportedly set to leave the Emirates at the end of the season, 11 years after joining the North London club from Cardiff City.
In recent weeks the Welshman has been linked with a host of sides including Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and AC Milan.
While speculation over his future will continue in the coming months, it seems obvious which club Ramsey would be ideally suited to. Given the choice, the 27-year-old may find a tailor-made role for him at Liverpool.
For many reasons it is an obvious choice for Jurgen Klopp, whose team is based around out-fighting and out-running the opposition.
Ramsey would fit seamlessly into that system. Over the years at Arsenal he has consistently topped the ‘most distance covered’ charts and has also been a tireless worker on the international scene.
Liverpool’s ability to press and squeeze the opposition is the cornerstone of the side’s tactical DNA – it’s in part why the Reds enjoyed such success against Manchester City last season
Klopp likes his men in the middle to be tough, energetic and not afraid of a tackle. The German does not indulge flamboyant, silky play; he instead prefers his players a bit rough around the edges.
Like Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita, Ramsey fits that mould. Rarely is the Arsenal man caught loitering on the ball or enacting over-complicated moves.
Most of the current midfielders at Liverpool are neither defensive, nor attacking midfielders, rather box-to-box players. In general, Klopp has no room in his side for number 10s or holding midfielders, he wants players capable of breaking up attacks, driving with the ball and finding that defence-splitting pass.
Again, Ramsey ticks all the boxes.
“Having offensive responsibilities without the pressure of solely providing goals and assists may be a perfect fit for Ramsey.”
Often, he has struggled to find his best role in an Arsenal side who do not employ box-to-box midfielders. When utilised behind the striker, Ramsey has been less influential and has failed to pull the strings as he can from deeper positions.
He is even a more reliable goalscorer from a conventional central-midfield role. His exquisite, back-heeled finish against Fulham last month demonstrates how effective the Welshman can be breaking into the box late, in a Frank Lampard-esque fashion.
Ramsey’s strike against Swansea City and two of his hat-trick goals against Everton last campaign are further evidence of the regularity of his well-timed forays.
Playing as part of a midfield three – something he has rarely done at the Emirates – could be well-suited to the former Welshman’s skillset. Having offensive responsibilities without the pressure of solely providing goals and assists may be a perfect fit for Ramsey.
While Arsenal’s number eight is proficient at executing his defensive duties, it is going forward where Ramsey truly excels, and it’s perhaps this attribute that Klopp may find to be his most appealing.
The former Dortmund coach’s ‘gegenpressing’ style has outwitted Europe’s top sides in recent seasons, but against weaker opposition Liverpool often find themselves with large amounts of possession and must unpick organised, robust defences. In this sense, Ramsey could prove to be a hugely beneficial addition.
In the past five full seasons Ramsey has netted 48 goals in all competitions, more than any current Liverpool midfielder (see chart below) – even more impressive considering Keita and Gini Wijnaldum spent some of that period in subpar leagues.
More than any player at Klopp’s disposal now, Ramsey possesses the capability to run beyond the striker and provide a real goalscoring threat.
He showed this on numerous occasions last season, in particular during away Europa League clashes against AC Milan and CSKA Moscow, when he bypassed his teammates to slot past the opposition keeper.
However, it’s not just goalscoring where Ramsey shines – despite starting just six league games so far this campaign he has registered more assists than any current Liverpool midfielder. In the previous five seasons he also outstripped them and can boast 33 league assists compared to Henderson (19), Milner (32), Lallana (24), Oxlade-Chamberlain (19), Wijnaldum (20), Keita (32) and Fabinho (5).
In 2017/18, he also created more ‘big chances’ than the five Liverpool midfielders still at the club, despite playing less games than Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wijnaldum.
Surely then, it’s a no brainer? A player who matches Liverpool’s system and style, and who could even be an improvement on their current crop.
Should the Reds decide Ramsey is the man for them, they can begin transfer talks with his representatives in January. Yet, it is also not impossible that he makes a mid-season move.
With his contract set to expire, Ramsey could be available for just a few million during the winter transfer window. In the present climate that’s a bargain.
Currently, Liverpool are failing to match their outstanding attacking displays of last season, and in the recent outing against Red Star Belgrade, Klopp’s men looked flat and void of creativity. How they could have benefited from a driving midfield runner, or an eye-of-the-needle through ball.
With Fabinho and Adam Lallana lacking form and Oxlade-Chamberlain unavailable for the rest of the campaign, Liverpool could be advised to take a small risk on Ramsey, who would also be available to compete in the Champions League (assuming Liverpool qualify for the next stage).
Ramsey’s time at the Gunners is drawing to a close, and where he will eventually end up is anyone’s guess. The midfielder turns 28 next month and may even still have his best years ahead of him.
The Arsenal man will likely have an eagerly awaiting throng of potential new employees, so Jurgen Klopp may be wise to secure his services before Liverpool’s rivals do.
A speculative effort at football journalism. 