Lamine Camara has given Liverpool fans another reason to keep an eye on him.
The Monaco midfielder put in an impressive performance for Senegal today, and the numbers tell you just how involved he was.
Camara won more duels than anyone else on the pitch, with 10, while also making the most tackles with six. He was also the player who was fouled most often, with four fouls committed against him.
And he wasn’t just doing the dirty work.
Camara completed 10 passes into the final third, the second-highest total in the match. That combination of defensive work and progressive passing is exactly what makes him such an interesting player for Liverpool to monitor.
There is something else that really stands out.
Camara has now won 35 tackles in just nine appearances for club and country this season.
That’s a serious amount of defensive involvement for a midfielder who is still only 22.
I’ve been interested in Camara for a while because Liverpool need to keep improving the balance in midfield. We have seen how important it is to have players who can win the ball, cover ground and still have the ability to move the team forward.
Camara looks capable of doing that.
I’m not saying Liverpool should rush out and sign him simply because he has had another good international performance. That’s not how recruitment should work. But when a player keeps producing numbers like these, you have to take notice.
His performance for Senegal was particularly interesting because he wasn’t simply sitting in front of the defence and making tackles. He was getting involved higher up the pitch as well, finding teammates in the final third and helping Senegal move forward.
That versatility is probably one of the biggest attractions.
Liverpool’s midfield has changed a lot over the last couple of years, and under Andoni Iraola I think the demands are going to be slightly different again. There needs to be energy, aggression and the ability to recover possession quickly, but there also has to be enough quality on the ball to turn that defensive work into attacks.
Camara’s numbers suggest he has plenty of the first part and is developing the second.
His form at Monaco has also given Liverpool something to consider. Opta’s career data shows he has already accumulated significant Ligue 1 experience, while his current season has included five league appearances plus European football.
What caught my eye today, though, was the combination of 10 duels won, six tackles and 10 passes into the final third.
That isn’t just a midfielder having a good game defensively. It shows someone who wants to influence the match in both directions.
And then there is the fact that opponents clearly don’t find him easy to deal with. Being fouled four times was another indication of how involved he was.
Liverpool have been linked with a number of midfielders, and Camara is one of those names that makes sense when you look at what the team could need rather than simply looking for another big-name signing.
I’m also a big believer in giving players time to develop.
Camara doesn’t need to arrive at Anfield and immediately become the finished article. If Liverpool genuinely see something in him, they could bring him into a squad where he can learn, compete and gradually take on more responsibility.
At 22, there is plenty of room for improvement.
And if he keeps producing performances like this, his reputation is only going to grow.
35 tackles won in nine games is the number that really jumps out at me.
Liverpool should certainly be keeping an eye on what comes next.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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