Liverpool make contact to sign “incredible” £85m talent

Liverpool may solely marvel what it could be like to sit down again on the prime earlier than Jurgen Klopp changed Brendan Rodgers method again when.

However the robust want for better success has since been realised, in full color, over a sustained interval of success that has returned each form of silverware to Anfield’s trophy cupboard.

And when Arne Slot changed the German final summer season after he had ‘run out of vitality’, in his personal phrases, many thought that was it, that was the tip of an illustrious interval that will be remembered for years and years.

That hasn’t proved the case. Most rivals anticipated the Reds to fall by the wayside, or not less than stumble, forward of the 2024/25 marketing campaign, however Liverpool are Premier League champions, deserving winners, dominant winners.

A number of threads join the 2 eras, however that all-important piece of twine, central to every part good on the pink half of Merseyside throughout latest years, is Mohamed Salah.

And he is set to proceed his iconic journey.

Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future

Liverpool ended months of anxious hypothesis in April, extending Salah’s contract at Liverpool for a further two years. His £350k-per-week deal was set to run out on the finish of the 2024/25 season.

He is not a spring hen, however Salah may be very a lot nonetheless reflecting his greatness on the sphere. Final time period, he spearheaded Slot’s Premier League title cost, notching 47 purpose contributions throughout the league marketing campaign (an all-time file for a 38-game season).

His vicious mix of lethal capturing and clever playmaking have established him as one of many best forwards of his era, certainly hailed by Liverpool podcaster Lewis Aspinall as “the very best proper winger in Premier League historical past”.

Salah is now 33 years previous, however he has all of the instruments to forge one other profitable season for himself and his crew. With somebody like Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m price, supplying him, is there actually any doubt?

Furthermore, Liverpool are hoping to signal a centre-forward to switch Darwin Nunez, and he might be excellent for the Egyptian King.

Liverpool maintain talks for brand new striker

As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool stay eager about signing Hugo Ekitike this summer season and have been in touch relating to the participant, although they face stiff competitors from Newcastle United.

Chelsea have additionally proven curiosity this summer season, however their latest £60m acquisition of Joao Pedro could have tempered their want.

The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is among the many most coveted gamers in the marketplace, however he is valued at £85m, and this has dissuaded suitors from making concrete strikes.

Nonetheless, if Liverpool financial institution sums from Nunez (with Luis Diaz attracting intrigue from Bayern Munich and Barcelona too), they may have the means and the main target to push forward and signal a frontman who has what it takes to grow to be a famous person.

Why Liverpool need Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike was recognised as an thrilling attacking expertise from his days as a fledgling on the skilled stage, with expertise scout Jacek Kulig saying, “he may attain world-class striker ranges”.

He has demonstrated as such within the Bundesliga over the previous 12 months, scoring 22 targets and supplying 12 assists throughout all competitions final season. He had spent a half-season on mortgage with Die Adler beforehand, warming himself as much as a senior position away from the bloatedness of Paris Saint-Germain’s fringes.

And what a call it was to forge his personal path away from the French capital. The info is actually sort to Ekitike, for he ranked among the many prime 16% of forwards throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues final season for purpose involvements, the highest 6% for shot-creating actions, the highest 4% for each progressive carries and profitable take-ons, and the highest 20% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

That latter metric is attention-grabbing. Ekitike is a person of mobility and swiftness. He will get issues achieved himself, scarce one to linger in wait of deliveries posted onto his doorstep.

That is particularly essential for the continued success of Salah, for the Liverpool legend is certainly getting on a bit, and a strong and dependable centre-forward reminiscent of Ekitike will assist him in conserving his vitality for the crucial moments.

The Frenchman may not be on the identical prolific degree as Salah, however he is bought a equally various method to his attacking play, and this might bear dividends for Liverpool’s offensive fluency subsequent season.

It is essential to keep in mind that Ekitike is not the completed product but, however then he is already been hailed as “probably the greatest strikers on the market” by analyst Ben Mattinson, along with his progress a rising factor over the previous a number of seasons.

He would definitely show an improve on Nunez, who has been closely linked with a transfer to Napoli this summer season.

Nunez has been identified for his reference to Salah, having assisted the right-winger 11 instances throughout his Liverpool profession. Are you able to think about how a extra refined and established ahead like Ekitike would play with him, in flip offering a far superior purpose risk?

Furthermore, the ahead is blessed with a sure instinctiveness that can permit him to latch proper onto Salah’s ingenious passes, his whipped crosses and deft lay-offs.

This “unbelievable” younger prospect, as described by teammate Rasmus Kristensen, is on the quick observe to the highest of the sport, and Liverpool should do all they will to make sure he winds up at Anfield this summer season.

He would possibly even be the proper accomplice for Salah over the subsequent couple of years, bringing an vitality and dynamism to feed off the 33-year-old’s technical brilliance.