Should Liverpool target Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi?

Ogenyi Onazi

Liverpool are short of muscle in central midfield and are struggling to control matches in the early stages of the new Premier League season. They have managed to keep up their good form thanks to Daniel Sturridgeand Luis Suarez’s thrilling goalscoring feats but the Reds need some extra talent in midfield who can dominate opposition.

Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio could be the player Brendan Rodgers’ midfield needs. He’s a young, powerful central midfielder who is capable of controlling the tempo and flow a football match singlehandedly.

Onazi talks about the chance of joining Liverpool: ‘I would jump at the chance to play in the Premier League… Liverpool? They are a huge team and are attractive to any footballer. I could see myself playing for them.’

Onazi often occupies the space in front of the back four, collecting passes, turning and moving the ball forwards with energy. He is also capable to marauding forward and creating chances, as shown by his impressive figure of 11 key passes and two assists in Serie A this season – the third most at Lazio this season.

He can also help out in the goals department having scored both domestically and on the European stage. His powerful running and fantastic fitness was shown perfectly by his goal in the Europa League against Trabzonspor in early-October.

Onazi has been capped 18 times by Nigeria, most recently in their 2-2 draw with Italy at Craven Cottage on Monday evening. He was superb again.

He is a real presence in front of the back four, having won 67% of his tackles in 2013/14 and nine of 20 headed duels. It is his passing and energy that really stands out, though.

His size and presence in midfield makes him a daunting opponent to come up against and he uses it to his advantage, dominating most games he plays in.

Onazi’s excellent passing range sets him apart from most midfielders his size, too. At first glance of the 20-year-old, one would think he was just a powerful midfielder who would bash doors down to score goals from deep, but instead, he is adept at passing and can pick out a teammate from distance.

If Rodgers is interested in signing a powerful, energetic player who is capable of changing the tempo and fluidity of a game by himself, then he should take a look at Ogenyi Onazi.