Diogo Jota scored 22 seconds after being launched from the bench on the Metropolis Floor on Tuesday night, salvaging some extent for first-placed Liverpool within the Premier League.
It put an emphatic seal on the quantity 9 debate at Anfield. Luis Diaz provides a sort of charged dynamism to Liverpool’s assault when moonlighting as a centre-forward, whereas Darwin Nunez brings his personal power whereas additionally providing a extra standard method to the striker’s position.
However Jota is a real marksman, the scientific and commanding presence that the membership want going ahead. Ought to he keep match, you’d assume that the Portuguese will take pleasure in loads of soccer because the central point of interest.
Jota has posted eight objectives and two assists from simply 11 begins in 2024/25. Liverpool may need been sniffing round for a brand new ahead this month, however that does not really feel like a precedence when wanting on the full scale.
Liverpool cool Kvaratskhelia curiosity
The early knockings of the winter switch market delivered to the fore Liverpool’s curiosity in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Paris Saint-Germain had already put them within the driving seat to signal the Napoli star, however an apparent briefing to correspondents confirmed that FSG have been able to act if the Georgian confirmed his want to depart Serie A.
Properly, PSG have made regular developments over the previous week and are actually on the cusp of finishing a deal, with radio silence coming from Anfield through the intervening interval.
Whereas it is considerably unusual that the Reds confirmed their hand earlier than backing again into the shadows, it might be {that a} market alternative emerged and the membership thought-about it. Anyway, Liverpool’s frontline is hardly going to undergo from the left-sided ahead’s non-arrival.
Liverpool’s Frontline below Arne Slot | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Participant | Apps | Targets | Assists |
Mohamed Salah | 29 | 21 | 17 |
Luis Diaz | 27 | 12 | 3 |
Cody Gakpo | 30 | 12 | 4 |
Diogo Jota | 18 | 8 | 2 |
Darwin Nunez | 26 | 4 | 4 |
Federico Chiesa | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Stats through Transfermarkt | |||
It is likely to be that sporting director Richard Hughes is popping to extra demanding points, with Andy Robertson, 30, on the decline and a brand new left-back clearly wanted.
Liverpool focusing on a brand new left-back
As per The i Paper, Liverpool are set to win the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, forward of each of the Premier League’s Manchester sides, with the participant himself believed to favour a transfer to Anfield this summer time.
Kerkez has been one of many division’s brightest rising skills this time period and the Cherries will try to frustrate in end-of-season negotiations, with the report claiming that an settlement should fall within the area of £50m.
That stated, Andoni Iraola welcomed Argentinian left-back Julio Soler to the Vitality Stadium this month for a £11.5m charge, so strikes have already been made down south to mitigate the Hungarian’s potential sale.
Why Liverpool need Milos Kerkez
Liverpool have raised their collective stage in Slot’s system this time period however Robertson has sadly flatlined. As soon as probably the most electrical participant on the crew, years of exhausting service have seemingly ended his prime efficiency as a Purple.
It may need felt like a stunning deal for Kvaratskhelia would have been the exhilarating and assertion signing that Liverpool wanted however that is merely not the case, not when efforts may very well be centered in areas like left-back.
After all, eighth-place Bournemouth appear to be caught on their stance that they won’t promote Kerkez this month as they drive their exterior likelihood of qualifying for Europe, however Liverpool seemingly have funds able to be launched and a £50m bid might tempt their rivals’ resolve given {that a} substitute has already been welcomed.
The i Paper truly hail Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary teammate as ‘the brand new Andy Robertson,’ along with his tempo and efficiency from huge playmaking conditions doing the right lifting for Bournemouth’s facet.
The 21-year-old has scored one aim, added three assists and saved 5 clear sheets within the Premier League this season and, as per Sofascore, has averaged 1.4 tackles and 4.5 ball recoveries per recreation, successful 59% of his floor battles.
Furthermore, his Sofascore heatmap makes a agency touch upon Kerkez’s power and ground-covering type. Robertson’s heatmap is equally correct, along with his lack of tempo and efficiency lowering him to a extra cemented position on the left facet of defence, averaging 0.1 dribbles per match.
Kvaratskhelia may need been the flashier and extra thrilling signing to prioritise, however Liverpool is likely to be higher positioned specializing in Kerkez, whose talent set might function the lasting tonic at left-back, permitting Robertson to retain his position within the first crew whereas easing the burden that he shoulders, being forward of Kostas Tsimikas although clearly struggling, the weak hyperlink in an elite-level system.
It is settled, then; Kerkez could be the higher signing. One factor FSG excel at is drowning out the din from supporters and biding their time available in the market till the suitable time to strike presents itself. It may be irritating for these of a Liverpool persuasion, however which crew often comes out on high on the sector?
Look, Kerkez could be a beautiful addition on the 2024/25 marketing campaign’s midpoint, however Liverpool are high of the Premier League and Champions League tables and are nonetheless in each home cup competitions. If it would not come collectively till the summer time, there’s nonetheless each purpose to be excited for this season and past.
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