Liverpool were interested in Enzo Fernandez – now they're looking at the sequel
(Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Liverpool are monitoring a player dubbed the next Enzo Fernandez – with one coach claiming the player "walks into" the Reds' midfield.
Chelsea ended up bringing Benfica star Fernandez to the Premier League for an eye-watering nine-figure move in January, after Liverpool were said to be interested in the Argentine. Fernandez won the Best Young Player award at the World Cup in December.
With the Portuguese club's conveyor belt of talent providing plenty more young stars stepping up to be the next big thing in the European game, former Benfica coach Joao Tralhao has stated that one current player is actually more consistent than Fernandez – and he's wanted by Jurgen Klopp's side.
Enzo Fernandez was on Liverpool's radar while at Benfica (Image credit: Getty)
“[Florentino Luis is the kind of player every coach would like to have in their squad,” former Benfica coach Joao Tralhao told GOAL. “He’s an amazing boy, a hard worker, calm, professional, always prepared to listen and he is a proper team player. He doesn't think only of himself.
“Technically speaking, it’s not easy to find a midfielder with the defensive qualities he has. I used to joke with him and say that he saw the game two seconds before everyone else. It’s amazing the amount of interceptions he makes, the way he can be in the right position all the time. He is always in the right space to regain the ball and he has improved so much in terms of duels, using his body, protecting the ball in contact and so on.
“He has the talent and quality to play in elite teams. Remember when Real Madrid had the Galacticos? They needed someone to balance the team, and [Claude] Makelele was so important. More recently, Casemiro did that job, allowing [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Luka] Modric and [Karim] Benzema to attack. Florentino has those capabilities. He’s having an amazing season under Roger Schmidt.
“He can play anywhere, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool, anywhere. He would have no problem adapting."
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Florentino Luis in action in the Champions League against Neymar (Image credit: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Portuguese outlet O Jogovia Sport Witnessstated in October that Liverpool were interested in both Fernandez and Luis.
Florentino is valued at around €15 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
