Jack Frankham discusses two players who have the ability to take Liverpool up a notch.
Recently Liverpool Football Club have put their full effort into signing their top targets for certain positions. Rumours have been rife with many a player being linked with with moves to Anfield. I’m going to mention two players that would take Liverpool to the next level.
Yesterday afternoon, the reliable Liverpool Echo had released some new interesting transfer news on Liverpool’s top target, Sadio Mané. The Senegal international is an alternative to Bayern Munich midfielder, Mario Götze who was close on a move to the Reds. After four weeks of discussion, Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Mané and agreed with Southampton a fee of over £30 million.
Yesterday there were reports close to Southampton saying the fee for Mané would be £34 million with £4 million in add on’s. This turned out to be false with the Echo squashing the rumours and confirmed that the fee is £30 million with no add on’s. As we speak, Sadio Mané is undergoing a medical to complete the move.
The Senegal international has been linked to Liverpool for a number of weeks now. Recently, Mané tuned 24 years of age and has been playing for Southampton for the past two seasons.
Liverpool lack speed in many areas, wing being one of them. Liverpool’s players have decent pace but nothing compared to Sadio Mané. We lack that acceleration that is required in the Premier League. What Mané does bring is pace, power, goals assists, work rate and that never say die attitude which is a delight to any manager. It would be a great asset to the winger role when Mané is signed especially with Jordan Ibe and Lazar Markovic on the books to play as wingers.
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What stands out for me is that what Mané wants is to join Liverpool. In the current era, it’s unlikely to sign a top player that is desperate to play for the club. This would be a fantastic achievement for a player who wants to ply their trade for us. That stands out massively for me to back Mané.
Mané is proven in the Premier League and has done a consistent job on the wing for two years. Mané is more productive than one of our own, Philippe Coutinho. As well as Payet and Martial this season statistically.
He does need to add consistency to his game with him going on an 19 game streak without scoring but Klopp is the man to change his mentality when playing for the Reds. Being at a better club, with better players and with a genius in Jürgen Klopp, I believe that his consistency will improve as his career goes on at Liverpool.
Mané has scored 14 goals this seasons with 7 assists. He has played in many positions in attack and has played in a centre forward a winger role.
When Mané does sign, it will be so important to have Firmino, Coutinho and Mané working together in pre-season training. To build chemistry between them three is vital with that trio likely to start each game. Mané will benefit Coutinho so much with the forward runs to play through balls.
The fee that Liverpool is paying is questionable but I certainly think that Mané suits the style of the gegenpressing system. The fluidity in the attacking positions will be beautiful to watch with a dynamic force up front with Ings, Origi and Sturridge fighting to the places.
Mahmoud Dahoud has been named as a priority by Klopp with the Reds being ‘aggressively persuasive’ on the transfer. Dahoud is accustomed to many positions but has mainly been playing in an role just in front of his partner in centre midfield with Dahoud dictating play.
His vision is the main asset but he is also has an engine. He has been highly rated by many pundits and football experts in Germany and Jürgen Klopp has had his eye on him for many years.
Dahoud has just turned 20 years old and has been named one of the best midfielders in Germany which is extraordinary if you compare experience and age. His passing rate is on average above 90% every game according to Whoscored.com.
Gladbach value Dahoud at €30 million euros with the Bundesliga club willing to sell if the asking price is met. Borussia Dortmund are also interested with them looking for a replacement for midfield maestro, Ilkay Gündogan.