Liverpool have an opportunity to sign Marco Asensio, according to reports. The Reds should ignore the chance, however – he doesn’t fit the mould.
El Gol Digital claims that Liverpool want to sign Marco Asensio. Real Madrid are open to selling, too, and would accept around £35m for the player.
Now, admittedly, it’s not the most believable report. For one, they say Thomas Tuchel’s Paris Saint-Germain will rival the Reds.
If El Gol are three months behind on news of his sacking, we struggle to believe they’re in the loop on Liverpool’s transfer dealings.
Regardless, the link to Asensio is there and we think it’s a fine example of a deal Liverpool shouldn’t do. He doesn’t fit the mould.
Struggler
Asensio looked like the next-big-thing a few years ago but has struggled in recent seasons. Seven goals and seven assists in two-and-a-half seasons isn’t a lot to shout about.
But Liverpool have had success with players who aren’t quite living up to their potential. Mohamed Salah is the prime example of this, of course, as the Reds signed him despite a terrible time at Chelsea.
Virgil van Dijk is another example – Liverpool were prepared to put it all on the line for him when other wouldn’t. Sadio Mane, too, arguably fits that bill.
Then going further back, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge. Two players with huge potential at clubs who couldn’t get it out of them.
But all of these players were either signed for bargain fees or were performing at a level just below the top. Asensio is neither.
He’d cost £35m while not playing very well – and that’s not a nice combination.
The difference with Salah is that he went to Fiorentina and then Roma, performing in Serie A and proving the talent was there. Then Liverpool were the ones willing to bet on him.
Asensio just doesn’t have the body of work and the consistent performances of a £35m player. He’d just be a risk and for us, this isn’t the kind of player Liverpool should consider.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
