Liverpool confronted the extremely troublesome job of changing Jurgen Klopp in the summertime after he determined to step away from Anfield after nearly a decade of service.
The German supervisor introduced his departure in January of final yr and formally left on the finish of the 2023/24 marketing campaign, after profitable one Premier League title and one Champions League trophy throughout his time on Merseyside.
Arne Slot got here in from Feyenoord to guide a brand new period for the Reds and solely bolstered the squad with one addition in the summertime switch window, which was the signing of Federico Chiesa on a everlasting deal.
The Dutch head coach has accomplished a spectacular job at Anfield, to this point, as his staff is at present prime of the Premier League desk and has already certified for the knock-out levels of the Champions League.
Mo Salah’s return of 19 objectives and 13 assists on the proper wing and Cody Gakpo’s return of eight objectives and three assists on the left flank has helped to fireplace Liverpool to the highest of the desk, regardless of not having a constant and dependable quantity 9 possibility.
The Reds have didn’t discover a striker who may be relied upon to ship week-in-week-out as a centre-forward within the Premier League since Roberto Firmino’s time on the membership.
Why Roberto Firmino was a star for Liverpool
Liverpool signed the Brazil worldwide from Hoffenheim in the summertime of 2015, shortly earlier than Klopp’s arrival at Anfield, for a reported charge of £21.3m.
The majority of his appearances for the Bundesliga facet got here as both an attacking midfielder or a second striker, however he finally discovered his place as a centre-forward for Klopp for almost all of his time at Liverpool.
257 of his 362 appearances for the Reds got here as an out-and-out quantity 9 and he was an integral a part of the membership’s success within the Premier League and the Champions League as a part of an distinctive entrance three alongside Salah and Sadio Mane.
Firmino made the assault tick along with his capacity to tug centre-backs up the pitch to create house for Salah and Mane to make runs in behind, while additionally utilizing his unbelievable technical high quality and improbable passing vary to offer assists for the wingers.
The 33-year-old ended his profession at Anfield with a wonderful return of 111 objectives and 75 assists in all competitions, which exhibits that he supplied high quality as each a scorer and a creator of objectives on a constant foundation as a centre-forward for the membership.
Darwin Nunez, who has scored 4 objectives and supplied two assists in 17 Premier League matches this season, doesn’t provide the identical stage of high quality or consistency within the closing third at this second in time.
Slot, nonetheless, might unearth his personal model of Firmino by dipping into the January switch window to signal one of many membership’s reported targets.
Liverpool eyeing Premier League striker
Soccer Insider reported final month that Liverpool are fascinated about Brighton & Hove Albion centre-forward Joao Pedro, as they have a look at potential targets to bolster their attacking choices.
The outlet claimed that the Reds are plotting a transfer for the Brazilian dynamo and that they’ve been holding tabs on his performances for the Premier League facet, to see how he has developed this season.
It added that the previous Watford attacker can be open to transferring on from the Seagulls if the prospect to hitch one of many prime golf equipment within the division got here round, which Liverpool – sat on the prime of the desk – actually are.
Brighton paid £30m to signal the 23-year-old star from Watford in the summertime of 2023 and Soccer Insider said that they might need at the very least £60m to think about parting methods with the gifted teen through the January switch window.
Nonetheless, the report additionally revealed {that a} switch is extra prone to occur in the summertime, on the finish of the season, as a result of how robust Brighton are to barter with.
Whether or not Liverpool can wrap up a deal to signal Pedro this month or in the event that they wait till the summer time, the Brazilian ahead might are available as Slot’s personal model of Firmino to bolster the assault.
Why Joao Pedro might be Roberto Firmino 2.0
Apart from the plain comparability of them each being Brazilian strikers who’ve performed within the Premier League, the Brighton dynamo can also be a quantity 9 who has the standard to offer each objectives and assists for his facet.
The Brazil worldwide showcased his capacity as a goalscorer in his debut season with the south coast membership, with a return of 20 objectives in 40 matches in all competitions.
Pedro, who scored 9 objectives in 19 begins within the Premier League final time period, has flourished as each a scorer and a creator of gals within the present top-flight marketing campaign.
The Brazilian magician left former Spurs defender Michael Dawson amazed along with his “De Bruyne-esque” go to Karou Mitoma in opposition to Bournemouth earlier, which was one of many 5 assists he has registered to this point. That was notably excessive reward on condition that Kevin de Bruyne has 173 assists for Manchester Metropolis so far.
He at present ranks throughout the prime 2% of Premier League forwards for assists per 90 (0.35) and this illustrates his immense creativity, as he is likely one of the finest in his place at organising teammates for objectives within the league.
24/25 Premier League | Joao Pedro |
|---|---|
Begins | 15 |
xG | 3.94 |
Objectives | 5 |
Key passes | 17 |
Assists | 5 |
Stats through Sofascore | |
As you may see within the desk above, Pedro has been a well-rounded centre-forward for Brighton this season along with his capacity to attain and create objectives constantly.
His return of ten direct purpose contributions in 15 begins additionally speaks to his consistency within the closing third, which is one more reason why he might be Firmino 2.0 for Liverpool if the membership can strike a deal for his providers.
The Brazil worldwide, who nonetheless has time left to develop and enhance on the age of 23, has the technical capacity, ending high quality, and creativity to be Slot’s personal model of the previous Reds icon, in addition to a terrific teammate for Salah and Gakpo transferring ahead.
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