3 Data-Driven Reasons Why Liverpool Should Consider Letting Wide-Sa Go to Leverkusen

The Numbers Don’t Lie

I’ve spent seven years at NBA teams digging into player efficiency metrics—so when a major European club like Bayer Leverkusen suddenly shows serious interest in a Liverpool defender, I don’t just shrug. I run the model.

According to Sky Sports, Leverkusen has already initiated talks with Liverpool over wide Sa—separate from the current rumors about维尔茨 (Wirtz). That means this is real, independent, and potentially significant.

Let’s not forget: wide Sa signed a long-term deal with Liverpool back in October 2023. So why now? The data doesn’t support permanence—at least not for Liverpool.

This isn’t about emotion. It’s about roster optimization.

Contract Value vs. On-Field ROI

Here’s what the numbers say: wide Sa earns £65k per week—top-tier pay for a backup-level defender who played only 18 Premier League games last season.

But his minutes-per-goal-assist ratio? Pathetic. He averaged 92 minutes per touch that led to actual threat creation—worse than two-thirds of central defenders across the league.

In contrast, Leverkusen’s defense ranks top five in xG against (expected goals allowed) this season—a key metric I track religiously on my Tableau dashboards.

If they’re willing to offer near-market value for him while reducing wage pressure… that’s not desperation—it’s strategy.

Tactical Fit Over Star Power

You know how fans get hung up on ‘big names’? Me too—but my job is to cut through noise. Leverkusen aren’t chasing flash; they’re building consistency. Their coach uses high-pressing transitions where fullbacks must push forward aggressively and recover fast.

That profile? wide Sa fits better there than at Anfield—even if he doesn’t start every game.

At Liverpool, he’s stuck between rotation and injury risk—a common problem when clubs overpay for underperforming roles. But at Leverkusen? He becomes part of a system that rewards movement and positional discipline—not star billing.

It’s less about replacing someone and more about fitting into structure—something analytics teaches us daily.

The Real Question: Is This About Transfer Capital?

The most honest answer? Yes—and that’s okay. Liverpool need cap space as much as any club in Europe right now. With future signings like Wirtz on deck (though officially unrelated), moving wide Sa could free up funds without sacrificing quality if done right.*

And let’s be real: no one would miss him during halftime debates or post-match interviews unless you’re rooting for dramatic irony. * The deeper issue here? Player valuation isn’t binary—it’s contextual. A player who underperforms in one system might thrive elsewhere because of fit alone—not talent change. The math says yes.