Diogo Jota scored 22 seconds after being launched from the bench on the Metropolis Floor on Tuesday night, salvaging a degree for first-placed Liverpool within the Premier League.
It put an emphatic seal on the quantity 9 debate at Anfield. Luis Diaz provides a type of charged dynamism to Liverpool’s assault when moonlighting as a centre-forward, whereas Darwin Nunez brings his personal vitality whereas additionally providing a extra typical strategy to the striker’s function.
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 focus.
Jota has posted eight goals and two assists from simply 11 begins in 2024/25. Liverpool might need been sniffing round for a brand new ahead this month, however that does not really feel like a precedence when trying 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 go away Serie A.
Nicely, 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 throughout the intervening interval.
Whereas it is considerably unusual that the Reds confirmed their hand earlier than backing again into the shadows, it could 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 beneath 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 by way of 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 concentrating 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 season.
Kerkez has been one of many division’s brightest rising abilities this time period and the Cherries will try and 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 fee, 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 essentially the most electrical participant on the staff, years of exhausting service have seemingly ended his prime efficiency as a Crimson.
It might need felt like a shocking deal for Kvaratskhelia would have been the exhilarating and assertion signing that Liverpool wanted however that is merely not the case, not when efforts could possibly be centered in areas like left-back.
In fact, eighth-place Bournemouth appear to be caught on their stance that they won’t promote Kerkez this month as they drive their outdoors probability of qualifying for Europe, however Liverpool seemingly have funds able to be launched and a £50m bid may tempt their rivals’ resolve given {that a} substitute has already been welcomed.
The i Paper really hail Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary teammate as ‘the brand new Andy Robertson,’ along with his tempo and efficiency from vast playmaking conditions doing the proper lifting for Bournemouth’s aspect.
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 vitality and ground-covering type. Robertson’s heatmap is equally correct, along with his lack of tempo and efficiency decreasing him to a extra cemented function on the left aspect of defence, averaging 0.1 dribbles per match.
Kvaratskhelia might need been the flashier and extra thrilling signing to prioritise, however Liverpool is likely to be higher positioned specializing in Kerkez, whose ability set could function the lasting tonic at left-back, permitting Robertson to retain his function within the first staff 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 precise time to strike presents itself. It may be irritating for these of a Liverpool persuasion, however which staff normally comes out on high on the sector?
Look, Kerkez could be an exquisite 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 season, there’s nonetheless each motive to be excited for this season and past.
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