With Liverpool taking on Crystal Palace in the final game of the Premier League season on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp will be relieved in the knowledge that Eberechi Eze will not be taking to the field.
The midfielder suffered a “freak accident” in training this week. It will keep him out for at least six months, per the BBC.
It is a huge blow for both the player himself and his club. Eze has had an excellent first season in the Premier League after signing from QPR last summer.
However, with Liverpool needing a win to guarantee Champions League football next season, it is a big plus that they will not have to worry about the Englishman.
The Reds will be up against it as Roy Hodgson will likely set up to stifle his former side. He will be hoping for a win in what will be his last game as Palace manager.
Eze’s creativity would have been one of his biggest weapons going forward, much like it has been all season.
Eze has phenomenal potential
In one way, it is a pity that Eze will not be fit to play in today’s game. Liverpool fans are missing out on the chance to see one of the Premier League’s most entertaining players in action.
In fact, Eze is a player that could possibly end up in a red shirt one day. He has the potential to be that good.
The 22-year-old has been excellent in a rather negative Crystal Palace side this season. He has also been played out of position for the majority of his time at Selhurst Park.
Hodgson has played Eze as a left-winger, while he is at his best in more central roles. He has the ability to play as a No 10, but we believe that he is actually best as a No 8 in a three-man midfield.
Here, Eze can use his incredible dribbling and passing ability to progress the ball quickly from one end of the pitch to the other. He already makes 6.6 progressive carries per game, which would be much higher if he was getting on the ball more by being in the middle of the park.
His 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game is nothing special, but it is by no means woeful either. So, he would not be a defensive liability.
This dynamic ability would make him a potential target for Liverpool in future. This would especially be the case if the coaches decide to change the tactics a little bit and allow more attacking freedom to the central midfielders.
While he could yet decide to play his international football for Nigeria, Eze is a homegrown player. We all know how important it is to have the best homegrown players at the big clubs. It is necessary to comply with Premier League and Uefa rules.
If the club does decide to go into the market for an attacking No 8 in the next few years, Ebere Eze could be the ideal man to target.
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