2024-12-19 20:45:00
Liverpool entered the holiday season at the top of the Premier League And Champions League tables, with the midweek win over Southampton putting them into the Carabao Cup semi-finals to boot.
Everything is going pretty well for Arne Slotwho has the tactical acumen, adaptability and mental fortitude to overcome the adversity encountered with such a prestigious job and perhaps even lead Liverpool to silverware success before the end of the season.
Remarkably, the Reds have undergone only the lightest summer renovations, signing of Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £12.5m in August. It makes an interesting comment on Slot’s abilities, but the Dutch manager won’t be able to keep Liverpool up to par without making a big signing at some point.
While Liverpool boast a top-class frontline, Darwin Nuñez continues to divide opinions and Slot may think landing an upgrade would be the right move.
Liverpool eye Nunez upgrade
Nunez scored against Southampton but his overall performance still left a lot to be desired, with the Charlie Gordon of the Daily Express noted that Nunez is “such a powerful runner but he can be so finicky with his last ball”, epitomizing his journey in this Liverpool team.
Slot’s patience will have no limits, and FSG seem to be considering replacements, with Spanish sources claim than that of Atalanta Ademola Lookman is on Anfield’s radar and that Slot’s side are seriously considering making a formal bid in the new year.
The Nigerian striker is the talk of the town after his performances last year and is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. with Atalanta valuing him at 70 million eurosit’s unclear whether teams would be willing to pay.
Liverpool have an adaptable frontline, with Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all used as centre-forwards this season while possessing properties suited to other areas as well.
In this sense, it is not implausible that a dynamic star such as Lookman could be targeted, as he has proven himself among the most clinical players in Italian football and is furthermore a big-match talent.
What Ademola Lookman would bring to Liverpool
Broadcaster Maximiliano Bretos hailed Lookman for his “monster year” 2023/24, winning the Europa League and scoring 27 goal contributions through 45 matches in all competitions.
After single-handedly dismantling Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, Lookman deservedly secured 14th place in the rankings. Final ranking of the men’s Ballon d’Or.
This year, he continued his momentum, posting 11 goals and five assists in 19 appearances as Gian Pieri Gasperini’s side strive for a historic Serie A title, currently top of the table after 16 matches.
According to FBrefLookman actually ranks in the top 2% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year in goals scored, top 4% in assists, top 1% in attempted passes and shot-creating plays. and 2% for progressive actions. door and tackle by 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 meters from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
A man of many talents. So much so that Lookman was hailed as a “superstar” by 90 mins: Sean Walshand given the underlying data, it’s hard to dispute that he is one of the continent’s elite strikers.
|
Ademola Lookman – Career Statistics by Position |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Applications |
Goals |
Aids |
G/A rate |
|
Left winger |
100 |
28 |
7 |
0.35 |
|
Second attacker |
66 |
23 |
10 |
0.50 |
|
Right winger |
62 |
10 |
12 |
0.35 |
|
Center forward |
37 |
15 |
9 |
0.65 |
|
Attacking midfielder |
15 |
2 |
3 |
0.33 |
|
Statistics via Transfer market |
||||
Number nine may not be his natural placement, but he has been more clinical as a central leader than in any other area during his career. This may seem obvious, but many good wide strikers are unable to translate their power to center forward, as it requires the use of a different range of skills.
If Liverpool are serious about getting a deal done, they could even get their own version of Bukayo Sakawho is certainly not a striker, although listed as the player most comparable to Lookman by FBref, with his dynamic attacking qualities and progressiveness merging to offer a unique and deadly talent.
Saka, 23, is well above the lion’s share of Premier League wingers and would probably be considered the cream of the division without a certain Egyptian feel, with the Arsenal star the lynchpin of the rise of Mikel Arteta in recent years. .
He is scored nine goals in 23 appearances this season while making 13 assists, and it is now clear that the Three Lions gem is destined for greatness.
Economical in his movements, with only one dribble per elite match this year, according to SofascoreSaka is elite in the way he applies his skills, and the same goes for Lookman, who is becoming a destructive force in full command of his menacing weaponry.
By signing Lookman, Liverpool would complete their frontline with a player operating well above the current level of Nunez, who is tenacious and lively but lacks certain fundamentals a striker needs to excel in the Premier League.
Finding a Saka-type striker who is capable as a striker will only ensure that Liverpool are in the race for the biggest prizes over several years, and that’s something Richard Hughes and his colleagues need to do – particularly with their division rivals. also hunting.
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