90min Exclusive: Scouting Chief Explains Why Liverpool Target Is 'the Complete Midfielder'

TSG Hoffenheim midfielder and reported Liverpool target Kerem Demirbay is a 'complete midfielder' and has become an irreplaceable part of the club's first team.

That's the opinion of one of the key people surrounding Demirbay's move to Hoffenheim in 2016 - the club's scouting chief Lutz Pfannenstiel.

Demirbay was coming off the back of an outstanding loan spell with Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he scored ten goals in the second division when Hoffenheim came knocking at the door of parent club Hamburger SV.

The midfielder signed on the dotted line at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena for £1.5m just months after highly regarded manager Julien Nagelsmann was appointed at the club.

Premier League side Liverpool have most notably been linked with a move​ for Demirbay since the summer, especially since their proposed move for Lyon playmaker Nabil Fekir fell through at the eleventh hour. And Pfannenstiel's recommendation may mean the Reds should sit up and take notice - saying Demirbay's eye for goal makes him a "complete midfielder".

"He is a complete midfielder with a great balance between offensive creativity and hard defensive work," Pfannenstiel told 90min. "If a player in his position also can score, then you have the complete package.

"Demirbay can play in various positions. He is not just technically but also tactically strong. His ability to solve pressure situations as well as playing the deadly pass makes him very important."

Demirbay is certainly deserving of Pfannenstiel's high praise too. The two-time Borussia Dortmund youth player has featured in all but one Bundesliga game that he's been injury free for this season, taking his Hoffenheim appearance tally up to 70.

The 25-year-old has featured in slightly deeper positions this season, creating space for summer signing Leonardo Bittencourt, while youngster Nadiem Amiri will also be staking a claim for Nagelsmann's first team when he returns from injury.

Demirbay, who has gained two appearances for Germany and was part of their Confederations Cup winning side in 2017, has been attracting interest from across Europe throughout his time with Hoffenheim - with Liverpool not the only club linked.

Although Demirbay isn't as well known for his creativity like Fekir is, the German does boast an impressive eye for goal, is renowned for the ability in his left foot and would undoubtedly strengthen most teams across Europe.