Why Liverpool might want Jamal Lewis
If reports are to be believed, Liverpool are about to improve their one area of weakness. The Premier League champions don’t currently possess a natural understudy to Andrew Robertson at left-back.
When the Scotland international isn’t available or he’s rested, the team’s dynamic changes completely. I guess they managed just fine last season, amassing 99 points, but it was noticeable when their No.26 wasn’t in the starting XI.
A list of four possible signings has been drawn up but Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis is the club’s prime candidate according to The Independent. If a move materialises, the signing of 22-year-old won’t be one of the blockbuster deals of the summer, but it could be one of the most important.
Liverpool’s system relies on their full-backs offering the width. Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah cut inside and this gives Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson the freedom to do what they’re best at. Neither happen to be explosively quick but their intelligence creates space and in that space, they do the most damage.
When James Milner and Neco Williams played on the left, everything was directed the way of Alexander-Arnold and there was a predictability to an otherwise unpredictable team. The best example of this was away to Brighton. The Reds usually have an even spread but in that first half, almost 50% of Liverpool attacks were down the right.
As predictable as it sounds, a natural left-footer at left-back is pivotal for Jürgen Klopp’s side. On paper, Norwich’s style isn’t too dissimilar to Liverpool’s. Daniel Farke deployed Todd Cantwell as a left-winger and the 22-year-old would often drop into central areas.
This vacated the left flank and Lewis was tasked with overlapping, keeping the width and stretching the opposition. As the flank attacks graphic shows, the Canaries built a lot of their attacks in wide areas last season. The Northern Ireland international shares many similarities with Robertson, too. Just not the current version of the left-back.
The 26-year-old is now composed in possession. He’s patient on the ball and there’s a robotic nature style to his game. That isn’t a negative. With the help of Klopp, he’s honed his craft. He’s relentless at what he does.
But before his switch to Anfield, Robertson was a lot more of an individualist. He’d pop up centrally, he’d underlap as often as he overlapped and he’d go on marauding runs from deep.
It’s hard to compare Lewis’ stats to Robertson’s now because, well, one played for a team crowned champions, the other played for the team who finished bottom of the table.
However, you can compare Lewis to Robertson from his Hull City days. And the stats are really comparable. They played a similar number of passes on a per 90 basis. Both attempted over two dribbles while the Scotland captain was putting in just 3.25 crosses compared to the 5.05 he now averages.
In terms of expected assists, their averages are almost identical. But what it shows is Lewis’ numbers are scalable, just like Robertson’s have been.
Alongside better players, the Luton-born full-back’s averages will improve, and Liverpool could have another Robertson on their hands.
All the graphics and visualisations in this article use Wyscout data and were produced in the Twenty3 Content Toolbox.
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