Liverpool haven’t been at their greatest this season, however supervisor Arne Slott might be relieved that they’ve proven indicators of progress all through December, shifting as much as fifth within the Premier League and on a six-match unbeaten run.
Nevertheless, the champions have solely regained a semblance of their intimidating kind from final season, operating via the season with confidence and consistency and ending Manchester Metropolis’s dominance.
A drastic change in summer season transfers leaves some unhappy, with Liverpool clearly now within the race to signal Bournemouth ahead Antoine Semenyo.
Liverpool contemplating options to Semenyo
Liverpool need Semenyo, however he isn’t the one proficient winger available on the market. Supervisor Fabrizio Romano confirmed Liverpool started talks with the Ghana worldwide final month, however their curiosity has since cooled.
Nevertheless, that would change after Alexander Isak is dominated out for a number of months after breaking his fibula in final weekend’s sport towards Tottenham. Moreover, uncertainty stays over Mohamed Salah and his future at Anfield.
Nevertheless, with each Manchester giants considered main the race at this stage, Liverpool will at all times have to safe a alternative, they usually have discovered a participant who boasts a good higher expertise than the Cherries star.
In response to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are in talks with the agent of Actual Madrid icon Vinicius Junior, who has rejected a contract extension on the Santiago Bernabéu and is ready to go away subsequent summer season forward of the expiry of his £400,000-a-week deal.
Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis are additionally , and sporting director Richard Hughes must put his negotiating expertise to the check to safe an enormous deal to finish Liverpool’s entrance line.
However he would not come low-cost, with one report saying he is value a whopping £131m. That will make him the most costly participant within the historical past of the British sport.
Why Vinicius Junior is Liverpool’s greatest left winger since Mane
The approaching expiry of Vini’s contract additionally implies that his £65m launch payment is legitimate for the primary 10 days of the January switch window, and he may very well be signed for a decreased payment of £80m, which is considerably larger than Semenyo’s valuation.
Hailed as a ‘celebrity’ ahead by former Los Blancos teammate Luka Modric, Vinicius Junior is a uncommon ahead who’s blessed with energy, pace and an aura within the closing third that may result in trophies and vital targets.
He has solely scored 5 targets in La Liga this season however has additionally supplied eight assists, however he contributed 41 targets in all competitions final 12 months, enjoying in A-matches and discovering love within the Spanish capital.
And regardless of the Brazilian worldwide’s stoop, he has ranked within the high 6% for shot creation actions, high 1% for progressive carries, and high 4% for takeoff success amongst his positionmates in Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months, in response to FBref.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant, whereas nonetheless in possession of the ball, immediately carries the ball and defeats his opponent.
He would add directness and hazard to Liverpool’s ranks within the slot, and the dynamism of his positioning may even enable the 25-year-old to take up the mantle as Liverpool’s new model of Sadio Mane. He was as sharp because the Reds’ knife, totally on the left wing, however with expertise that may very well be utilized throughout the entrance line.
Vinicius Jr – Profession statistics by place | ||
|---|---|---|
place | app | Objective + Help |
left wing | 303 | 90+79 |
middle ahead | 64 | 29+16 |
proper wing | 15 | 3+2 |
attacking midfield | 2 | 2+1 |
Dates through Transfermarkt | ||
Mane performed each sport for Liverpool, scoring 120 targets in 269 video games. Like Vini Jr., he boasted a large repertoire of expertise and excelled on the massive stage. Each huge males starred and scored within the Champions League closing.
Luis Dias was bought to Bayern Munich in August and won’t be on Merseyside this season, however Mane is a 12 months older and might be reborn as Vini somewhat than Semenyo.
Mane’s fast ft and fixed sharpness within the closing third have been a crowd pleaser, and his on-field persona helped endear him to the Anfield crowd. You’ll assume Vinicius Jr. would do the identical.
Mane was a novel winger, lethal in entrance of aim, fierce and combative. Vinicius Junior shares some fascinating traits with Jurgen Klopp’s former celebrity and could be the proper addition to enhance Liverpool’s standings in 2026.
Liverpool star regarded like ‘the very best participant on this planet’ however now Keita 2.0
One in all Liverpool’s superstars has encountered quite a lot of irritating obstacles on Merseyside.
