[마이데일리 = 최병진 기자] Liverpool are showing an interest in Nakamura Keito (22, LASK Linz), known as the ‘Next Mitoma’.
Liverpool lost 1-2 in the 4th round (final of 32) of the 2022-23 season FA Cup against Brighton on the 29th of last month (Korea time). Liverpool finished the tournament and Brighton progressed to the fifth round (round of 16).
Liverpool took the lead after 30 minutes through Harvey Elliott’s goal. However, on 39 minutes of the first half, Lewis Dunk allowed an equaliser. In the second half of extra time when the score was 1-1, Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) caught the ball inside the penalty box. Mitoma scored a dramatic goal with a stunning right-footed strike, and Brighton caused an upset defeat at Liverpool.
Mitoma is particularly strong against Liverpool this season. According to football statistics site OPTA, Mitoma recorded the 10 biggest dribbling advances against Liverpool. In a league game against Liverpool, he broke through opposing defender Trent Alexander-Arnold several times.
In the middle of the nightmare, came the news that Liverpool were watching ‘The Next Mitoma’. On the 31st, England’s ‘Liverpool Echo’ said, “Liverpool are linked with the recruitment of Japanese winger Nakamura, who is active at LASK, Austria. We sent a scout to Nakamura. “
Nakamura has excellent dribbling skills based on his tremendous kicking ability. Nakamura went through Gamba Osaka and played for FC Tvenner (Netherlands), Sint Tridon (Belgium) and FC Unioz (Austria). He joined LASK Linz this season and scored 8 goals and 3 assists in 15 appearances.
The media said, “Nakamura is showing his best at LASK Linz. He is an excellent dribbler like Mitoma, and his shooting ability has also improved compared to last season. Brighton are also showing an interest in Nakamura, so there will be a scouting competition.”
[나카무라 케이토와 미토마 카오루. 사진 = 게티이미지코리아]
Correspondent Choi Byung-jin cbj0929@mydaily.co.kr
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