Liverpool is supposedly in ‘advanced negotiations’ with Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, according to a report from Liverpool Echo. The Jurgen Klopp team had previously been connected to the Ecuadorian international during the summer transfer window. It’s unclear, though, whether this purported desire will turn into a more formal agreement in January.
The Impressive Performances of Hincapie in the Bundesliga Last Season
In the 2022–2023 season, Piero Hincapie had a breakout season with Bayer Leverkusen. In 43 games, including an astounding 40 starts, the 20-year-old defender made a significant contribution, scoring one goal and dishing out one assist across all competitions.
With an average of 1.7 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, and 2.5 clearances per game in the Bundesliga, Hincapie, an Ecuadorian, established himself as a powerful defensive force in the backline.
Additionally, he demonstrated effectiveness at passing the ball out of defense, posting an 83.2% pass completion rate in the German top division (numbers from whoscored).
In January, should Klopp bring him to Liverpool?
Hincapie is a young, talented defender with a potential future ahead of him. He is a versatile player who can play in a variety of positions thanks to his strength, quickness, and good sense of anticipation on the pitch. These are qualities that suit Jurgen Klopp’s tastes.
The addition of the Ecuadorian star would strengthen Liverpool’s defense. The Reds’ main center-backs right now include people like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Joel Matip. However, the arrival of another top-notch alternative becomes even more crucial in light of Matip and Gomez’s history of injuries.
The way Hincapie plays fits in perfectly with Klopp’s strategy. Because of their propensity for high-pressing, Liverpool needs players who are at ease in those situations, which Hincapie possesses. Additionally, his capacity to forward the ball from the back fits with what Klopp demands of his defenders. In conclusion, Hincapie’s prospective inclusion in Liverpool’s team would be a wise decision given his youth, talent, and versatility as well as the improvement in defensive depth and quality it would provide.