Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Norwich City on Saturday represents the opportunity to not only move 25 points clear at the top of the table but also get a first-hand look at one of the club’s reported summer transfer targets.
According to the Daily Express, Liverpool are lining up a potential swoop for Norwich playmaker Emiliano Buendia, suggesting that the Reds may look to pick up the versatile attacker if the Canaries are indeed relegated at the end of the season.
Buendia joined the Canaries in the summer of 2018, arriving from Getafe for an undisclosed fee [BBC Sport]. The 23-year-old has clocked up 24 Premier League appearances under Daniel Farke this season, picking up five-man of the match awards along the way.
NORWICH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Emiliano Buendia of Norwich City battles for possession with Romain Saiss and Joao Moutinho of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Carrow Road on December 21, 2019 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Emiliano Buendia could be one of the great bargains buys of the summer for the Reds, only Kevin De Bruyne has a better chance created per minute ratio than the Argentina U20s international.
Liverpool have a history for picking up players from relegated sides – Andy Robertson and Gini Wijnaldum were both signed for small change and transformed into Ballon d’Or shortlisted players, will the Reds make it a hat-trick with Buendia?
The Argentine has been one of the shining lights in a team that is currently rooted to the bottom of the league table. Alongside, Todd Cantwell and Teemu Pukki the trio have proved quite the formidable force following their promotion from the Championship in 2019.
NORWICH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 14: Teemu Pukki of Norwich City celebrates with teammate Emiliano Buendia of Norwich City after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Norwich City and Manchester City at Carrow Road on September 14, 2019 in Norwich, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
With seven assists already to his name, Buendia – similarly to Xherdan Shaqiri – could provide even more squad depth to Liverpool’s world-conquering squad and, should the Canaries face the drop, Klopp could potentially snap up the former Getafe playmaker for a pittance.
Also, four of Pukki’s previous nine league goals have been provided by the Argentine, a player capable of supplying the type of weighted pass that Pukki needs to run in behind an opposition defence.
Defensively, Buendia – valued at £16.2m – is years ahead of his development. According to Whoscored, Buendia wins on average 2.5 tackles per game – that’s the 18th most in the entire Premier League. It’s easy to see how a player like that could fit into the Liverpool side as cover.