WHO IS DARÍO OSORIO? THE CHILEAN MAGICIAN  WHO IS ON LIVERPOOL’S RADAR

LIVERPOOL CONTINUE TO BE LINKED WITH CHILEAN YOUNGSTER

It’s relatively quiet on the transfer front for Liverpool at the moment. But that is to be expected. Not one but two major tournaments are taking place. Meanwhile, the club’s manager hasn’t even properly started work.

At this stage, Liverpool’s recruitment will be sounding out potential candidates to target this summer and getting a feel of players who could be on the club’s radar in the window.

One name who continues to be linked with a move to Anfield is Dario Osorio. Only 20 years old, he has been making impressive strides in the Danish Superliga. He’s someone who Liverpool scouts have followed since he was a teenager all the way back when he was still playing academy football in Chilean

Over the years, the club has continued to track him, including while he was playing at FC Midtjylland last season.

DARIO OSORIO’S PROFILE

Osorio is a quick and technically gifted attacker who can play almost anywhere across the front three. He’s played left and right winger for Midtjylland last season. Although he is predominantly left-footed and would probably suit the right winger role the best at Liverpool.

In terms of playing style, Osorio is relatively tall for a winger. He’s still yet to grow into his body and sometimes has a bit of an awkward gait. However, with time and muscle he could grow into a Cody Gakpo type of attacker.

Osorio may not quite have the same speed, but he does have the technical quality to be explosive and to beat players with ease. He’s also got a powerful shot on him and can be a threat from outside the penalty area as well. Out of his last 13 goals, five of them came from outside the box.

WHY LIVERPOOL ARE INTERESTED IN OSORIO

On the surface, one might raise eyebrows over why a 20-year-old attacker with nine goals and two assists last season is on Liverpool’s radar.

But it’s important to take into account, Osorio only played 1316 minutes in all competitions. Meaning he averages a goal contribution every 119 minutes.

In total, he averaged 0.52 goals per 90 in the Danish Superliga last season, which ranked him in third place among wingers in the league.

So Osorio’s output is quite impressive. Especially for a player who is only playing his first season in Danish football.

But it’s not just the output that will put Osorio on Liverpool’s radar. Osorio’s defensive work rate will have been flagged up by the recruitment team as well.

He ranks in the top 20 wingers in the league for successful defensive actions per 90 minutes (6.98) as per Wyscout, which is a really high output. Especially, while playing in a team who were the champions last season.

OSORIO ON THE BALL

One of Osorio’s best assets is his tactical versatility. He can play as a more traditional winger and hog the lines, while isolating his opponent one vs one. But he’s also very adept at cutting into the centre and causing problems that way by beating a couple of opponents and getting a shot off at goal.

He’s not the most productive dribbler in the league – Osorio actually averages 6.07 dribbles per 90, which ranks him outside the top ten dribblers among wingers. However, he is effective when he does decide to go on a run.

His 54.84% dribble completion ranks him among the top five wingers in the league who average at least 6 dribbles per 90. That’s a sign of a player who is capable of making the right decisions.

Osorio is definitely not wasteful in possession. He will sometimes drop deeper into midfield and right-back to pick the ball up. As a result, he ranks among the top 10 wingers for progressive passes (4.37 per 90).

He also ranks in the top 10 wingers for passes into the penalty area (3.59 per 90). He’s a clever player who at such a young age is capable of making the right choices. For a winger that’s a huge asset and while there are area of his game he needs to polish, there is a lot to like. It’s not really a surprise Liverpool are still interested in his services after having tracked him for so many year

IS HE READY TO PLAY IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?

The biggest question mark over Osorio will be whether he is ready to make the step up to England’s top flight.

Physically, Osorio has grown a lot over the last season in Denmark, but I am not sure he is ready to be going toe to toe with defenders in the Premier League just yet.

The leap from Denmark to England is a huge one and there are few players ready to make that step.

It’s also important to take into account that Osorio will be reluctant to accept a sporadic role in the first team.

He’s playing regular senior football and has been doing that since he was 18 years old. Convincing him to come to Liverpool and predominantly sit on the bench will be tough sell. It may also end up being detrimental to his development.

However, if he is a player Liverpool are targeting for the proposed FSG second team that is in the works, Osorio could be a fantastic addition.

He’s a raw but exciting talent who could be developed further and who definitely has the potential to play for Liverpool in the future.