A fortress is made impregnable not by the preliminary conquering however the success in defending the territory claimed over so a few years, and which means Liverpool might want to strengthen their ranks this summer season.
It is clear at this level that Arne Slot goes to win the Premier League in his first time period within the scorching seat, an unimaginable feat given Liverpool have been successfully written off following Jurgen Klopp’s departure on the finish of the 2023/24 marketing campaign.
However Slot will need an abiding place on the forefront of English and certainly European soccer, and Liverpool’s frontline has regarded somewhat out of kilter over latest months.
It is clear that FSG are going to authorise one or two thrilling summer season bids.
Liverpool concentrating on new forwards
Mohamed Salah has meted out punishment on close to each opponent he has confronted this season, however Liverpool want extra up entrance, with The Athletic amongst these to report Crimson curiosity in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
Nevertheless, quantity 9 is not the one spot on the membership’s radar.
As per Caught Offside, Liverpool and Arsenal are keen on signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze; additional suitors are within the operating however the Premier League’s high two share the lead right here as nicely.
Eze’s robust and potent performances underneath Oliver Glasner recommend he has what it takes to thrive at a top-performing membership like Liverpool, who may do with such a dynamic attacker.
Final summer season, the Eagles anticipated a swarm of curiosity of their silky star however nobody got here ahead. Now, the ball is of their court docket and calls for price £60m have been put in place.
Why Liverpool need to signal Eze
Eze packs a punch. The 26-year-old has gone from power to power since leaving Queens Park Rangers within the Championship in 2020 and becoming a member of the Selhurst Park ranks for a £20m price.
Hailed as a “famous person” by knowledge analyst Ben Mattinson, Eze has hit 12 objectives and 12 assists apiece underneath Glasner’s wing, that includes 48 occasions in complete.
This season alone, he is been in effective fettle, taking part in a extra artistic position than in 2023/24 however doing so to a effective impact.
Eze’s broad talent set lends itself to a number of positions, and whereas he is been fielded routinely in the midst of the park this 12 months, he has ample expertise out on the left flank.
With that in thoughts, Eze may very well be the proper signing to improve on Luis Diaz, whose unsure future at Anfield suggests a alternative might be required sooner somewhat than later.
PL 24/25 – Eberechi Eze vs Luis Diaz |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (* = per sport) |
Eze |
Diaz |
Matches (begins) |
25 (23) |
29 (23) |
Objectives |
2 |
9 |
Assists |
6 |
5 |
Pictures taken* |
3.4 |
2.0 |
Move completion |
82% |
86% |
Massive probabilities created |
9 |
6 |
Key passes* |
2.0 |
1.6 |
Dribbles* |
2.1 |
1.6 |
Ball recoveries* |
4.6 |
2.9 |
Tackles + interceptions* |
1 8 |
1.2 |
Duels received* |
5.4 |
3.8 |
Stats by way of Sofascore |
Whereas Eze hasn’t chalked up the best numbers in entrance of aim this season, his underlying knowledge means that he is outstripping Diaz throughout virtually each division.
That is necessary. Diaz is not precisely revered for his medical contact, as a substitute effusively praised for his methods and slicks, talent and can towards driving play ahead and leaving defenders munching mud.
To signal a participant who produces such qualities however to the next customary, extra relentless within the duel, artistic in his playmaking duties, lively in carrying the ball, it is an intriguing proposition, one which could simply dynamise Liverpool’s already progressive attacking outfit.
Furthermore, Eze’s medical facet was on full present final season, firing 11 objectives dwelling throughout 24 Premier League appearances, lacking simply 5 large probabilities in an immense show of efficiency.
Certainly, the Englishman halted Jurgen Klopp’s bid for a farewell league triumph after scoring at Anfield within the 1-0 win in April, with journalist Keifer MacDonald noting that the playmaker had left Trent Alexander-Arnold “livid” because of his gradual stroll off the sphere when substituted late on.
Whether or not the Three Lions star, who scored his first worldwide aim off the bench in a 3-0 win over Latvia final week, is bid for stays to be seen, however Eze has every little thing that Slot’s Liverpool want, particularly if a medical centre-forward is welcomed to the fold this summer season.
In a extra distinguished group like Liverpool, Eze could even discover himself unlocking his full goalscoring potential. As per FBref, the £100k-per-week expertise really ranks among the many high 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for photographs taken per 90.
Having been described as a “wizard” by Arsenal’s Declan Rice up to now, Palace’s predominant man could be on the transfer this summer season. Diaz has been a incredible servant for Liverpool over the previous a number of years and might be duly rewarded with a Premier League winners’ medal within the coming months, however the time is likely to be proper for a change.
The Colombian has solely scored one aim throughout his previous 19 fixtures in all competitions for the Reds – albeit helping in 4 of his previous six top-flight video games – and at 28 is heading into the penultimate 12 months of his £55k-per-week cope with sights set on a brand new bumper bundle or change of surroundings.
There have been whispers of late that Diaz may very well be offered this summer season to fund a freshen-up. Barcelona have a long-standing admiration and the Saudi Professional League are additionally there, quietly lurking.
How a lot of a vested curiosity sporting director Richard Hughes has in Eze at this stage, we do not know. Nevertheless, his efforts in south London over the previous few years definitely point out a future at one of many division’s European rivals, and Liverpool might be proper there, able to pounce if the suitable alternative presents itself.
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