Why This Real Madrid Attacker Will Be A Great Buy For Liverpool
New Premier League season is about to commence and Liverpool, the 18 times league champions, are left with some unfinished business in pursuit of their summer transfer targets. Although they have acquired wingman Mohamed Salah from AS Roma, left-back Andrew Robertson from Hull City and young forward Dominic Solanke who completed a Bosman transfer from Chelsea upon expiration of his contract, the Reds have failed to land some of their prime targets.
Amidst all these conundra, Spanish outlet Diario Gol claims that Liverpool have shown interest in €15m rated Spanish winger Lucas Vazquez, who has been a key figure for Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid for the past couple of campaigns. Vazquez progressed through the youth ranks of Los Blancos and was promoted to their senior side following an impressive loan spell with league counterparts Espanyol. The upsurge earned him an international call-up last year and the 26-year old wingman has been capped thrice so far for La Rojas. Vazquez, who usually operates from the right flank has appeared 84 times across all competitions and netted 8 goals for the reigning Champions League as well as La Liga winners.
He is known for his outrageous skills, dribbling and passing traits along with the ability to cut inside and doing layoffs. However, Vazquez’s game time has been limited in a star-studded Real Madrid side and most of his appearances occurred as a substitute. Gareth Bale is fit again and the emergence of Isco and Marco Asensio has further jeopardised his place in the squad. Zidane, although views him as an impact substitute, the player is now exploring options for regular minutes in order to ensure his place in Spain’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.
But do Liverpool really need to invest in another wide player? Mohamed Salah has settled well in new surroundings and enjoyed a fruitful pre-season for his new side. Also, Academy prodigy Ryan Kent delivered an imposing display for the Reds and showed his maturity as a player during pre-season following a productive loan spell with Championship outfit Barnsley last term.
However, Jurgen Klopp fancies Philippe Coutinho to operate in a central attacking role this season and his Brazilian teammate Roberto Firmino is viewed as a ‘number 9’. Thus, the German gaffer is left with Salah and Sadio Mane as his wide options and with the additional pressure of European football, Klopp needs someone as a quality alternative. With Sheyi Ojo closing in on a loan move to Middlesbrough, he is left with a rookie in Kent, who is too young to feature regularly if either of Salah or Mane gets injured midway through the season.
As things stand, Klopp, so far, is convinced with his attacking third despite the fact that his high pressing game is tipped to cause injury troubles like they have on previous occasions. The Samba boys will be switched to wide roles in that scenario and the former Bundesliga boss is currently prioritising his defensive unit that has been vulnerable time and again. But the Vazquez deal will be an astute piece of business and the Spaniard is capable of injecting a similar impact like Pedro offered in Chelsea since his move from Barcelona for regular minutes.