Scouting Liverpool’s £10million Versatile Attacking Target

Liverpool, currently in second place in the Premier League, have been linked a £10million move for Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette. The right-footed attacker is capable of playing on either wing or as a striker and fits the profile of just the sort of versatile attacker Liverpool are on the lookout for.

While the 22 year old Frenchman started his career for Lyon in a wider role, his success this season has come in a more central role where he has managed to score 18 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions, and he has also managed to provide 6 assists. Most of his success has come in the league where he has scored 13 goals in 25 appearances.

Lacazette has a lot to offer to the team – he has an eye for a finish, is a fox in the box as well as a hard worker. He is good at pressing off the ball and closing down opposition defenders intelligently, a quality that will certainly endear him to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Lacazette’s finishing too has improved over the last few seasons, and it has been much improved this season which has resulted in the decent goal haul he has managed. He is capable of scoring all types of goals, be it long shots, volleys or deft finishes, and he is extremely capable in one-on-one situations.

Lacazette can use both feet to great effect which is a real asset for the player and he is at the heart of this creative and attacking Lyon side, adding the flair element to the team. He is capable of using his guile and agility to skip past players and his skills come in handy for leaving defenders trailing with his box of tricks. He is a very difficult man to tackle and wins a lot of free kicks for his side.

One of the features of Lyon’s game this season has been the inter-play between forward players and Lacazette’s understanding with the likes of Gourcuff, Grenier and Benzia has added synergy to Lyon’s play. He generally looks to be involved in one-twos, and enjoys linking up with the other attackers which would dovetail nicely with Liverpool’s current playing style.

Lacazette’s main weakness is his overall aerial ability given that he stands at on 5’9” tall. It is one of the problems that he has faced this season while playing as a lone striker for Lyon as he has been beaten in the air far too easily by opposition defenders. However, he does possess a good spring and with practice, he can certainly improve in this regard.

Given Brendan Rodger’s preference for mobile and versatile forwards, Lacazette would fit in nicely at Liverpool where he could be part of an interchanging forward three of him, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. However, despite the clear talent that he possesses, he is unlikely to be Liverpool’s first choice given the fact that Liverpool are looking for quality additions to help them make a mark on their return to the Champions League next season.

Watch some of his goals here: