Liverpool signed $94m expert baller as Mohamed Salah can show if Jürgen Klopp missed out

Liverpool signed $94m expert baller as Mohamed Salah can show if Jürgen Klopp missed out

Jürgen Klopp has been prioritizing his midfield department this summer, and rightly so considering that proved to be Liverpool’s biggest weakness last season, with the team finishing fifth in the Premier League table. A huge renovation job has been undertaken in the club’s engine room, with Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keïta all departing.

Those players have so far been replaced by Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, with Klopp nearing the end of his seismic rebuild in the middle of the park. Once his midfield department has been completely regenerated, the Reds seem likely to address their defensive line, with Joël Matip’s contract due to expire next year.

Liverpool has been interested in adding a new center-back this summer, but that need hasn’t ranked near the top of the to-do list on Merseyside. Interest in Levi Colwill was widely reported but after months of speculation, the English defender decided to stay at Chelsea, signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

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The Blues wonderkid has plenty of quality and potential attached to his profile, but he is also left footed. Klopp is said to have an interest in a left-footed option in defense, with Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté all right footed. In fact, the last left-footed center-back at Anfield was Ragnar Klavan.

Upon inspection of the rest of the Premier League, Klopp is competing against managers who have what he doesn’t. Pep Guardiola has new signing Joško Gvardiol and Nathan Aké at Manchester City. Mikel Arteta has two lefties in Gabriel Magalhães and Jakub Kiwior at Arsenal. Erik ten Hag has Lisandro Martínez at Manchester United after bringing him from Ajax last year, and Newcastle United has Sven Botman.

Indeed, Liverpool is scheduled to come up against the latter this weekend. Botman is a relatively new addition, having joined the Magpies from Lille just 12 months ago. The Dutchman is a physically imposing presence standing around 1.95m tall, he’s capable in possession, and he favors his left boot.

Still just 23 years old, he’s already proved to be a great capture for the Toon.

Photo by Richard Callis/MB Media/Getty Images

(Image: Richard Callis/MB Media/Getty Images)

Lille demanded around $44m (£35m/€41m) for Botman’s signature at the time, and that has since proved to be a solid investment. He appeared in all but two of Newcastle United’s 38 Premier League matches last term, having been named as a starter by Howe in 35 of them.

The Toon posted the joint-best defensive record with Botman as a fixed pillar of strength, conceding just 33 goals from 38 games, which was the same amount shipped by champions Manchester City.

The Dutch international was tipped for a move to Merseyside back in 2021, when Klopp was attempting to navigate a disastrous injury crisis in the heart of his defense. Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all suffered season-ending injuries, which forced Liverpool to explore the market for a solution.

Klopp eventually ended up getting Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke — while also signing Ben Davies from Preston North End for a nominal fee — with Botman proceeding to remain in France for another 18 months before making the switch to Tyneside and competing in the Premier League.

As a left-sided center-back, he will come up against a certain Mohamed Salah this weekend, with Klopp set to be presented with a reminder of what might have been.

The Reds are still looking for a left-footed addition in the market as the transfer window approaches its closure at the end of the month, but if Liverpool had simply moved for Botman around two years ago, Klopp would have one less item on his to-do list right now.

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Liverpool eyeing €50 million-rated attacker as key star’s replacement

August 24th 2023, 9:06

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah continues to be linked with a move away from the club this summer.

Apparently, Saudi Arabian clubs are keen on signing the 31-year-old Egyptian international and it remains to be seen whether Liverpool are ready to sanction his departure.

A report from Calciomercatoweb claims that the Premier League giants are already looking at potential replacements for the 31-year-old winger.

Salah has been one of the best players in the world since moving to Liverpool and he has been their main goalscorer. The Egyptian international has helped them win multiple trophies during his time at the club and his departure would be a massive blow for the Reds.

Apparently, Liverpool are looking at the Juventus winger Federico Chiesa as a potential replacement for the Egyptian. Chiesa was regarded as a world-class talent when he guided Italy to the European Championships in 2021.

However, the Italian has not been able to fulfil his potential so far. He has had his fair share of injury problems and it remains to be seen whether he can get back to his best once again.

Federico Chiesa remains a key part of Juventus’ plans

The 25-year-old is undoubtedly a prodigious talent with a big future ahead of him and a move to Liverpool could give him the fresh start he needs right now.

Working under Jurgen Klopp could help the Italian improve further. Apparently, the winger is valued at €50 million and he has a contract with the Italian club until the summer of 2025. Liverpool are likely to recoup a lot more if they decide to sell Salah and should be able to afford the Italian international.

thekoptimes.com

Former Chelsea hero backs Liverpool to finish in the top four this season

Chelsea legend Florent Malouda backs Liverpool to finish in the top four

While making his season predictions, former Chelsea star Florent Malouda has tipped Liverpool to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

The Frenchman went on to add that he does not believe Chelsea are in a position to finish inside those Champions League places this season. But, still backs them to do it.

Focusing on Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s men have got four points from two games after performing just about average in both contests. So, while there are concerns regarding how easy to attack them, the good news is that the team can only get better from here because the whole new midfield would naturally take some time to settle down in their roles.

Here’s what Malouda said when asked about the Reds’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League (h/t Betway, via Liverpool Echo):

“I think Chelsea will struggle to get in the top-four – but I think they’ll still do it. Manchester City are above all teams in the league, then I would pick Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea after that.

“It’s a transition season for them, but I’d pick them over Man Utd. To make it in the top-four now is very difficult. City will be champions again.”

It is quite a prediction! The Frenchman really thinks Arsenal and Manchester United won’t be in the top four come the end of this season.

While United have not made a good start and there might be a case made for them, the Gunners have made a winning start and they have spent the money to challenge for the title once again.

For Liverpool, the problem is well-known to the world. They would need another midfielder before the transfer window closes. The addition of a centre-back might have been ideal, but it doesn’t seem like we are getting that this time around.

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Klopp has the attacking resources to blow any team away. Can the German find the defensive stability to go with that? Once the latter is tuned in, the Reds can have a great chance of at least Arsenal and City, if not get close to them.