Liverpool and Mateus Fernandes - 90th percentile defending, a smart £30m opportunity

Versatility across midfield roles increases tactical value

When I look at Mateus Fernandes, I see a player who makes a lot of sense in the context of how Liverpool operate in the transfer market. This is exactly the kind of situation the club tends to target, a young player, Premier League experience, and potentially available at a reduced price if his club goes down.

There is a lot to like here. The data backs that up, the eye test backs that up, and importantly, the profile aligns with what Liverpool have been missing in midfield. He is not perfect, and there are areas that are less developed, but as a complete picture, I can see why Liverpool would be interested.

Defensive output highlights midfield suitability

If you start with the defensive side, this is where Fernandes stands out most.

He is in the 90th percentile for successful defensive actions, including tackles, blocks, aerial duels, and general defensive work. In terms of total defensive actions, he sits around the 87th percentile, as the radar below shows (Source WTanalysis). That tells you two things: he is active and effective.

Interceptions sit around 50th percentile, and blocked shots are not particularly high, but those can be influenced by team structure. Playing in a side that is struggling defensively will always affect how those numbers present, see the above chart.