A comedy of errors littered Liverpool’s journey to Craven Cottage. That was the headline proper there. The Premier League’s Champions Elect misplaced any semblance of defensive safety as they caved in towards a sturdy and deserving Fulham facet.
However wait a minute. There is no doubting that it was a mistake-filled match, however what concerning the lack of fluency and coherence that Arne Slot’s facet mustered within the opening part?
Positive, Alexis Mac Allister’s whomping thundercracker sparked delight from the travelling Redmen, who sang and sang and sang. We’ll win the league.
However the champagne should be corked for some time longer; Slot, no doubt, can have killed swiftly any giddiness or positivity round his squad’s dressing room, probably issuing a stern reminder that the day will not be finished and focus wants realigning forward of the ultimate straight.
So many gamers, frustratingly, failed to show up towards Marco Silva’s males, with Mohamed Salah culpable of one other poor efficiency as uncertainty surrounding his future lingers.
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future
On Monday afternoon, an embargoed dialogue regarding Virgil van Dijk and a hive of reporters broke into the mainstream. Anfield’s skipper confirmed that there had been progress in extending his £220k-per-week contract.
Whereas Trent Alexander-Arnold seems certain for Actual Madrid, consideration swivels to Salah, who, like Van Dijk, will doubtlessly be at Anfield subsequent season, with the respected David Ornstein confirming talks with the 32-year-old are nonetheless very a lot on.
Salah has been the fulcrum of Liverpool’s attacking success this time period, ridiculously chalking up 32 objectives and 22 assists in all competitions. Nevertheless, he is dipped of late because the Reds’ collective kind and fluidity have stifled the feel-good issue.
Some have questioned whether or not Slot watches his superstars by means of rose-tinted glasses, unwilling to implement adjustments until pressured. Salah has been part of this listing of late, along with his poor showings calling for the likes of Federico Chiesa, whose alternatives are nominal.
Nonetheless, he continues to indicate promise when known as upon. Chiesa will hope for extra probabilities over the ultimate weeks and possibly subsequent 12 months too, however no matter Salah’s contractual final result, it is clear that Liverpool want extra high quality to ease the Egyptian’s workload.
He may principally play off the left, however FSG have discovered a rising star who may function Salah’s long-term successor whereas aiding him subsequent 12 months too.
FSG scouting Salah inheritor
Liverpool want to deal with quite a few points out there this summer time. Andy Robertson’s newest gaff illuminated the necessity to substitute him this summer time. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez seems to be on the high of the listing.
Wonky attacking output has additionally led to hypothesis pertaining to the signing of a brand new striker. With Darwin Nunez anticipated to go away on the finish of the season, count on exercise on this entrance.
Nevertheless, Liverpool’s attacking ‘issues’ unfold out to the wings too, and that is why FSG have been scouting Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.
In accordance with Fabrizio Romano – in his GIVEMESPORT publication – the 20-year-old Englishman is hoping to go away the Bundesliga facet this summer time and is eyeing a return to his homeland, having left Manchester Metropolis for the German scene again in 2020.
Again in February, the Yellow Wall put up calls for price £85m for the potential sale of their newest prize, nevertheless, it is arduous to envisage any suitors – Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have additionally been credited with an curiosity – paying such an exorbitant sum.
Nonetheless, Gittens is likely one of the most fun younger prospects within the sport. With Salah maybe standing on the sting of his twilight years on the high, here is why Liverpool ought to make their transfer.
Why Liverpool ought to signal Jamie Gittens
Gittens has stepped up from the academy scene and made actual headway on the high degree over the previous few years. After breaking by means of in 2022/23, he began to showcase real high quality final time period earlier than turning into a key function of Nuri Sahin and now Niko Kovac’s first crew.
Certainly, throughout 42 matches in all competitions this season, Gittens has scored 12 objectives and laid on 4 assists, along with his shift to the left flank unlocking a goalscoring contact that might be excellent for Slot’s Liverpool facet.
However that is not all, Gittens can also be one of the vital electrical attackers within the sport proper now, rating among the many high 6% of positional friends throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for progressive carries and the highest 1% for profitable take-ons per 90, as per FBref, completely illustrating that time.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant beats their opponent by straight carrying the ball previous them whereas retaining possession.
On this method, he bears a likeness to a youthful model of Salah, who lacks his one-time tempo and jet-like bursts however has redefined his sport to remain on the highest degree as his thirty third birthday looms.
Taking a look at Gittens’ statistics within the Bundesliga this season, in comparison with Salah’s throughout his unimaginable debut marketing campaign at Anfield, you maybe see that this can be a rising expertise who Slot may form right into a famous person.
Jamie Gittens vs Mohamed Salah |
||
---|---|---|
Stats (* per sport) |
Gittens (24/25) |
Salah (17/18) |
Matches (begins) |
28 (19) |
36 (34) |
Objectives |
8 |
32 |
Assists |
3 |
10 |
Photographs (heading in the right direction)* |
1.8 (0.8) |
4.0 (1.9) |
Huge probabilities missed |
4 |
23 |
Cross completion |
82% |
77% |
Huge probabilities created |
6 |
12 |
Dribbles* |
2.7 |
2.2 |
Duels received* |
5.1 |
3.7 |
Stats through Sofascore |
Whereas Gittens, who has been hailed for his “particular” performances by Romano, nonetheless has a lot to be taught, you’ll be able to see that the blueprint is there. Like Salah, he is proving to be scientific in entrance of objective – changing eight of his 12 huge probabilities this time period – whereas additionally proving relentless in his dribbling and most desirous to win a duel too.
The similarities do not cease there, although. Gittens was discarded by Man Metropolis when he was in his early life, pressured to discover a residence elsewhere given the bloated nature of the Sky Blues’ youth scene.
Likewise, Salah was as soon as a gifted prospect within the Premier League, with Chelsea, earlier than transferring to Italy and making his identify, incomes that historic £34m switch to Liverpool.
Totally different circumstances, positive, however the indicators are proper there for Slot to make his transfer and strengthen Liverpool’s frontline along with his very personal Salah signing this summer time.
Sky Sports activities’ Dougie Critchley remarked a couple of months again that Gittens has been “England’s finest left winger in 2024/25.” He is solely going to enhance, and Liverpool want to ensure he rises to the fore in pink.
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