Liverpool have been driving the crest of a wave this season however supporters concern that it’ll all come crashing down in some unspecified time in the future.
Whereas, in soccer, it is necessary to not look too far into the longer term, the Anfield supporters are conscious that Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah may signal a pre-contract settlement with a membership from abroad at any given second.
Whereas FSG stay sanguine within the face of a staggering quandary, dropping any of those gamers can be a detrimental blow.
Salah, for instance, is among the biggest forwards that Merseyside has ever seen, posting 22 targets and 17 assists up to now this season. Saudi suitors are rising in confidence, and Liverpool are starting to have a look at a hit plan.
Liverpool taking a look at Salah alternative in Spain
As per Spanish experiences, Liverpool are rising more and more assured of signing Takefusa Kubo on the finish of the season as Slot begins to organize for a possible future with out Salah on the membership.
Kubo has a €60m (£51m) launch clause in his contract however based on the report, Liverpool are ready to supply €50m (£42m) plus Federico Chiesa – a bid they imagine might be accepted.
Whereas sporting director Richard Hughes will nonetheless be pushing to tie the Egyptian king all the way down to a bumper new deal at Liverpool, it appears like time is operating out for a harmonic conclusion, and Kubo might be the reply to the issue.
Why Takefusa Kubo may exchange Mo Salah
Kubo is simply 23 however he is emerged as a significant participant on the Spanish scene over the previous few years, notching 38 aim contributions throughout 112 appearances for Actual Sociedad.
As per FBref, the fleet-footed winger ranks among the many high 2% of positional friends in La Liga this season for progressive carries, the highest 1% for profitable take-ons and the highest 9% for shot-creating actions per 90.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant beats their opponent by instantly carrying the ball previous them whereas retaining possession.
The Japan worldwide would deliver far fleeter athleticism to Slot’s staff than the 32-year-old Salah, who is among the most potent attacking forces in world soccer however much less cell than he as soon as was.
2024/25: Takefusa Kubo vs Mohamed Salah | ||
|---|---|---|
Match Stats* | Kubo (La Liga) | Salah (Prem) |
Matches (begins) | 20 (14) | 21 (21) |
Targets | 4 | 18 |
Assists | 0 | 13 |
Photographs taken* | 1.4 (.) | 4.0 (2.0) |
Huge possibilities missed | 0 | 14 |
Move completion | 77% | 73% |
Huge possibilities created | 3 | 17 |
Key passes* | 1.2 | 2.3 |
Ball recoveries* | 3.2 | 2.5 |
Tackles + interceptions* | 1.4 | 0.7 |
Dribbles* | 1.9 | 1.6 |
Whole duels (gained)* | 4.8 (49%) | 3.4 (43%) |
Stats through Sofascore (* = per recreation) | ||
No winger in Europe (barring possibly Barcelona’s Raphinha) can maintain a candle to Salah this season, and there is not any doubt that Kubo has a lot to work on earlier than he’s acting at a passable stage for a staff like Liverpool, however the substances for achievement are there.
He is combative and artistic, certain, however maybe most curiously, Kubo hasn’t missed a single massive probability in La Liga this season, suggesting that his ball-striking capability is sweet, however he simply is not entering into sufficient goalscoring positions.
Spanish-based journalist Kiyan Sobhani has echoed this argument, saying final 12 months: “Kubo is dusting defenders this season and has been an unrelenting offensive menace. Continuously in assault mode.”
In Liverpool’s system, this may be improved, particularly when taught to use a few of Salah’s methods to his craft, which Liverpool coaches will little doubt be capable of implement into his recreation.
The left-footer does must hone his sharpness in entrance of aim however there is not any doubting the standard. With a whole skillset and a ferocious power about him, Kubo might be the proper Salah inheritor.
Look, Liverpool can be silly to try to exchange Salah with a winger of hanging likeness – they simply would not dwell as much as the plate. As a substitute, Kubo can add his personal aptitude to the function, and make it his personal.
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