Liverpool now focusing on “the brand new Haaland”

Liverpool have held again in latest switch markets, opting towards springing into the scramble for brand spanking new gamers and as an alternative counting on their current stars.

It is paid off, and handsomely at that. Except for Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus for £12.5m final summer time 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.

Nicely, 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 this can be a potential British-record signing, and nonetheless, his announcement is however a formality at this stage (well-known final phrases).

Followers acquired an opportunity to see their potential new famous person in motion final night time. Germany might 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 either side of the sphere, all highlighted the calibre of participant Liverpool might welcome into their fold, even when he trudged residence as one of many defeated.

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

Nonetheless, he scored, showcased his technical vary and certainly a defensive persistence that may serve him effectively 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 facet’s success within the duel (or, extra appropriately, lack thereof).

Wirtz might nearly full the puzzle, guarantee Slot has the means to win extra gold subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, 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 did not qualify for Europe this 12 months, 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 may very well be able to compete with Arsenal for centre-forward Sesko, probably looking for to hijack Mikel Arteta’s transfer.

“The largest query mark will likely be over the quantity 9 and if they will genuinely go for Alexander Isak,” Jacobs mentioned.

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

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

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

Liverpool would strike gold with Benjamin Sesko

Liverpool are present process a collection of adjustments this summer time, and Darwin Nunez is anticipated to be part of the exodus, making approach 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 workforce, notably successful the treble. There’s the exemplar, proper there.

It might be a idiot’s notion to count on an identical pathway for Sesko, however then there is no denying he is acquired all of the items to turn out to be a high expertise within the Premier League, particularly so if he is been sourced by a artistic phenom in Wirtz.

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

Taking a better take a look at the German playmaker’s extraordinary ability set, we see his passing and line-breaking qualities might serve probability upon probability 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.

A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant beats their opponent by instantly carrying the ball previous them whereas retaining possession.

When not threading surgical passes by way of to Sesko, Wirtz can be charging ahead himself, left skip, proper, left, proper. His slaloming model, expertly weaving previous hopeless opponents, would take the warmth off the central striker, permit him to get into house.

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