Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been one of the most impressive sides in the Premier League this season. With 41 goals in just 16 games, the Reds are now the highest goal scorers in the league and are currently just 6 points off the top of the table going into the last two games of the calendar year. The manager will be relatively happy with the start his side have made to the season after all the changes he made to the squad in the off season but he will also be looking at possible additions in January to keep his side fresh till the end of the season. A number of star players have been linked with a move to Anfield recently and one such player who is now extensively linked with Liverpool is Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.
A pacey winger with loads of skills and tricks up his sleeve, the 24-year old is a Manchester United reject and is an established first teamer at the Selhurst Park. He has already made more than 60 appearances in the league for Pardew’s side since his move in summer last year and he is now finding some impressive form late this year. He has two goals to his name from the last two games and has also picked up 6 assists this season, standing in the second place on the charts for assists, making him an impact player. However, Palace are currently just a point off the drop zone and Liverpool want to offer him a chance at competing with the best with a move in January.
A versatile player who can play in any of the three attacking positions in the final third, Zaha, is a genuine dribbler who loves to take his man on. His pace and trickery make him a hard man to mark and the 24-year old is finally learning to use his attributes to good effect in the league this season. He is an excellent crosser of the ball from the wings while his ability with the ball at his feet allows his team to convert defense into attack in the blink of an eye. His passing may not be his strongest facet but he loves to play short passes in dangerous areas to get past even the best of the defenses.
Liverpool lack wingers who can provide width to the side in attack. Sadio Mane has been exceptional so far this season for the Reds, standing as their top scorer but the only player with similar attributes in the squad is Sheyi Ojo, who his far from regular first team action. So a move for Zaha makes a lot of sense, especially for his Premier League experience in over 100 games with Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
But Liverpool need a player to replace Sadio Mane who is heading off to the AFCON in January. Zaha, who played for England initially, has decided to represent Ivory Coast in the AFCON this season and this will see him travel to Gabon along with Mane in January if Southgate is not able to lure him away. This will leave Liverpool with a void in January and an extra player by March. Zaha is more than a decent addition at Anfield who has the ability to lift them into genuine title contenders but he is far from an immediate requirement for the Reds and is not the player that they need to spend on in January. Do you think Liverpool should get Zaha in January?