Liverpool's search for a defensive midfielder is heating up once again, with reports linking them to Atalanta's Ederson. After missing out on Spain's Martin Zubimendi over the summer, the Reds remain keen to reinforce their midfield. However, they now face stiff competition from five other Premier League clubs, according to CaughtOffside.

Ederson's Standout Performance Catches Attention Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United scouts reportedly attended Atalanta's 3-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, where Ederson impressed. The Brazilian midfielder completed 94% of his passes and showcased his attacking intent, playing five key passes into the attacking third. He also contributed defensively, winning three ground duels and making five recoveries, further solidifying his PS50 million valuation.

Arsenal and Aston Villa are also reportedly monitoring Ederson, adding more pressure on Liverpool to act swiftly if they want to secure his signature.

Gravenberch's Rise Provides Temporary Relief While Liverpool's failure to land a defensive midfielder in the summer was seen as a setback, it has allowed Ryan Gravenberch the opportunity to shine. The Dutch international has seized his chance and is gradually becoming a mainstay in Arne Slot's midfield setup.

Our View - Anfield Index Analysis Excitement is palpable among Liverpool fans as links to Ederson continue to surface. However, the concern around growing competition from several Premier League clubs cannot be ignored. Missing out on Zubimendi was already a blow, and seeing Manchester City, Arsenal, and Tottenham now in the race for Ederson will likely spark scepticism among the Anfield faithful.

There is also an underlying question-how many defensive midfielders does Liverpool actually need? With Gravenberch coming into his own and Fabinho's departure still fresh, some supporters may argue that Liverpool should prioritise other areas. Yet, Ederson's versatility in both attack and defence makes him an attractive prospect, especially given Liverpool's history of injury issues.

From a financial perspective, a PS50m price tag for Ederson could be seen as reasonable in today's market, but with top clubs circling, Liverpool will need to decide if they're willing to invest heavily or risk another transfer window where key targets slip away. Either way, the pressure is mounting for Arne Slot to make a move.

Brazilian midfielder Ederson has been catching the eye with his performances for Atalanta, and his advanced statistical data from the past 365 days highlights his all-round contribution. Based on data from Fbref, Ederson has played 3912 minutes, positioning himself among the elite percentile ranks in multiple categories for midfielders. Let's dive deeper into his performance metrics.

Defensive Strengths Stand Out Ederson's defensive stats are highly impressive, with a remarkable 95th percentile for tackles won against dribblers, positioning him as a defensive stalwart. His 74th percentile in aerial duels won further emphasises his physicality and ability to dominate in the air. His clearances and blocks also score well, coming in the 56th and 57th percentiles respectively, making him a well-rounded player in defensive transitions.

Balanced Possession Game When it comes to possession-based metrics, Ederson remains consistent. He is in the 79th percentile for progressive passes, a critical indicator for a midfielder's ability to advance play. His pass completion rate of 56% is slightly lower than expected for his role, but his progressive carries (63rd percentile) suggest a tendency to drive forward with the ball. This could reflect his role in Atalanta's fluid system, where risk-taking is often encouraged.

Attacking Contributions Linger Although Ederson's main strengths lie in his defensive and possession play, his attacking contributions are not to be overlooked. His expected assists (xAG) are in the 50th percentile, but it's worth noting that he ranks in the 65th percentile for non-penalty xG, showing that he still provides goal threat when needed. His shot-creating actions and non-penalty goals percentages-44th and 31st respectively-highlight that attacking is an area of potential growth.

Our View - EPL AnfieldAnalysis For Atalanta and potential suitors like Liverpool, Ederson's stats offer a well-rounded, defensive-minded midfielder who can contribute across various phases of play. His strong defensive metrics, particularly his tackling success and aerial dominance, should attract Premier League clubs seeking midfield steel. However, the slightly lower-than-expected passing completion may raise questions about his suitability for more possession-heavy systems.

Liverpool's high-octane midfield demands both defensive resilience and attacking intent, making Ederson's 65th percentile for non-penalty xG intriguing. While he's not yet an elite creator or goalscorer, his versatility could be a valuable asset in the Premier League.