Reported Liverpool target Florentino Luis has been told he must improve physically if he is to secure a Premier League move.
The young Benfica midfielder has kicked on since returning to his boyhood club, following loan spells at Monaco and Getafe, and has benefitted hugely from the appointment of former midfielder Roger Schmidt as manager. The 23-year-old's form has caught the eye of several clubs across Europe's top leagues, with Record reporting earlier this week that the Reds are one of several potential suitors.
Jurgen Klopp remains keen to add youth and energy to his midfield - as proven by failed attempts to land Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer - and could view Luis as the natural successor to Fabinho, with his ability to cover endless ground and break up play. But, speaking to Portuguese media, former Benfica left-back Pedro Henriques has urged his compatriot to work on the physical side of his game if he wants to rise to the top.
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“He needs to be stronger in the air and more aggressive in duels,” the former Benfica full-back told Bancada. “Florentino Luis was always a player of great quality, but with little intensity in his game.
“Being a good player is not enough. You need to get to a level where you either have something else or you’re eaten alive. And he was being ‘eaten’ very easily.
“(Florentino) has worked hard and there is an improvement. He has corrected the deficiencies he had and improved. But he is not yet ready. He needs more.
“If he wants to play in England in his position, he has to be strong in the air, strong in duels. He is getting better and needs to improve even more.”
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