Liverpool now focusing on “the brand new Haaland”

Liverpool have held again in latest switch markets, opting in opposition to springing into the scramble for brand spanking new gamers and as a substitute counting on their current stars.

It is paid off, and handsomely at that. Apart from Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus for £12.5m final summer season however solely began as soon as within the Premier League and is being touted for a transfer again to Italy, no first-teamers have arrived since August 2023, when Jurgen Klopp utilized the ending strokes to his midfield transform.

Effectively, that was the case, at the least, till FSG activated Jeremie Frimpong’s £29.5m launch clause final month, and welcomed the right-sider from Bayer Leverkusen.

Frimpong, electric-paced and positionally versatile, replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold. Elsewhere, Milos Kerkez is in talks to depart Bournemouth and shore up the left flank, whereas Florian Wirtz is on the verge of following Frimpong from the BayArena to Anfield.

Negotiations have perhaps been a tad protracted, however it is a potential British-record signing, and nonetheless, his announcement is however a formality at this stage (well-known final phrases).

Followers bought an opportunity to see their potential new famous person in motion final evening. Germany may need misplaced of their Nations League semi-final tie to Portugal, however the 22-year-old proved his expertise.

Florian Wirtz’s efficiency vs Portugal

Beady-eyed detractors watched on in hopes of Wirtz struggling to make an impression on the worldwide stage, however he scored the opener and was firmly concerned in a lot of the competition.

Intelligent shimmies, well-worked one-twos and certainly a want to get on the coronary heart of the affair, on each side of the sector, all highlighted the calibre of participant Liverpool may welcome into their fold, even when he trudged house as one of many defeated.

It wasn’t a show that left nothing to be desired, nonetheless. Pitted in opposition to reverse counterparts Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, the Werkself icon was all the time going to be up in opposition to it.

Nonetheless, he scored, showcased his technical vary and certainly a defensive persistence that can serve him nicely beneath Slot’s wing. The Liverpool head coach, keep in mind, withdrew Jarell Quansah at half-time on his debut final season following issues over his aspect’s success within the duel (or, extra accurately, lack thereof).

Wirtz may virtually full the puzzle, guarantee Slot has the means to win extra gold subsequent yr. Nevertheless, Liverpool additionally want a striker, and might be planning a hijack for a brand new 9.

Liverpool plan hijack for brand spanking new Striker

RB Leipzig didn’t qualify for Europe this yr, and thus are resigned to promoting Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons, their two most worthwhile gamers.

And in response to switch insider Ben Jacobs, Liverpool could possibly be able to compete with Arsenal for centre-forward Sesko, probably in search of to hijack Mikel Arteta’s transfer.

“The most important query mark will likely be over the quantity 9 and if they’ll genuinely go for Alexander Isak,” Jacobs stated.

“Will they drop the £100m that Frankfurt are asking for Hugo Ekitike, they might even enter the race for Benjamin Sesko regardless that it looks like Arsenal are extra superior on that one in the meanwhile.”

The Gunners are “extra superior” of their pursuit, however the striker market is fairly slim and Sesko, 22, has a €80m (about £67m) launch clause.

That is extra reasonably priced than the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool would strike gold with Benjamin Sesko

Liverpool are present process a sequence of modifications this summer season, and Darwin Nunez is anticipated to be part of the exodus, making means for a brand new striker.

Sesko’s a uncooked expertise, his potential but untapped, however he is undoubtedly a star within the making, having scored 39 targets and laid on eight assists throughout 87 appearances for Leipzig.

The Slovenia worldwide has even been declared “the brand new Erling Haaland” by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, together with his unimaginable energy, rangy body and tempo (he is “one of many quickest gamers on the planet”) aligning with the Manchester Metropolis famous person, who has scored 121 targets from 142 appearances in Pep Guardiola’s crew, notably successful the treble. There’s the exemplar, proper there.

It will be a idiot’s notion to count on the same pathway for Sesko, however then there isn’t any denying he is bought all of the items to develop into a high expertise within the Premier League, particularly so if he is been sourced by a inventive phenom in Wirtz.

Wirtz, certainly, will depart Leverkusen having received the 2023/24 Bundesliga as an invincible, successful the Participant of the Season. In whole, he is notched 122 aim contributions from 197 whole matches for the Werkself.

Taking a more in-depth take a look at the German playmaker’s extraordinary talent set, we see his passing and line-breaking qualities may serve likelihood upon likelihood on a silver platter for Sesko.

As per FBref, Wirtz ranked among the many high 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers this season for aim contributions, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the highest 2% for passes tried and the highest 4% for profitable take-ons per 90.

When not threading surgical passes by to Sesko, Wirtz could be charging ahead himself, left skip, proper, left, proper. His slaloming fashion, expertly weaving previous hopeless opponents, would take the warmth off the central striker, enable him to get into area.

Then, the cross is performed, and Liverpool are forward as soon as once more.

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