A lack of quality at full-back has become a shared concern for Liverpool and Manchester United. Ahead of their meeting at Anfield on 22 November, both clubs are exploring the transfer market, with just over five weeks until the January window opens. Their main shared target is Juventus' 26-year-old full-back Andrea Cambiaso.
The rivals go into the fixture in contrasting league positions. Andoni Iraola's side are fourth in the Premier League with 18 points, while United have fallen to 18th with just eight points, leaving them one place off the bottom.
United have only Luke Shaw and Harry Amass on the left, and Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui on the right, making the signing of a top-level versatile player an urgent need. Liverpool have Ronald Araujo and Conor Bradley on the right, but are struggling on the left: Milos Kerkez has yet to live up to expectations, as has Jeremie Frimpong, who was bought for the opposite flank. With Kostas Tsimikas' contract expiring next summer and the club in no hurry to renew it, Cambiaso looks like an ideal candidate for Liverpool's starting line-up.
Creativity and reliability: why Cambiaso is valued
The Italian's appeal lies in his ability to play equally well on the left and right:
- Attack and creativity: since the start of the 2025/26 season, Cambiaso has been joint top for assists at Juventus, with seven alongside Weston McKennie. He has created 74 chances and completed 2,173 passes with a high level of passing accuracy (88.27%). The defender has also delivered more than 100 crosses from open play, with a solid accuracy rate for a wide player of 24.64%.
- Tackling and stamina: the Italian has played 55 matches over a season and a half. Of his 81 attempted tackles, 54 were successful (a success rate of 66.67%, higher than McKennie's), while only Manuel Locatelli and Pierre Kalulu have made more tackles overall.
- Weaknesses: the Italian's shortcomings include a modest interception record of just 26 over a year and a half, and a relatively low success rate in aerial and positional duels of 49.13%. That would require a tough adjustment to the physical demands of Premier League football.
The main attraction for buyers is his affordability: according to Italian sources, Juventus are prepared to part with the defender for just €25 million.
