£30m bid reportedly ready: How would Adama Traore fit in at Liverpool?

Add as preferred source on Google

How would Adama Traore fit in at Liverpool? The Spaniard is reportedly in the Reds’ crosshairs.

The Daily Star claims Liverpool could try to fit Adama Traore into their squad next season. They’re ready to offer Wolves £30m, in fact, and that might just get it done.

But how is that fit? Would Traore work out at Liverpool? Let’s have a look at how the Reds could use him.

Is Adama Traore a fit for Liverpool?

One thing stands out about Traore above all else – he’s an athlete. The 25-year-old isn’t just rapid but he’s brutally strong, too.

He can blow by defenders like they’re not there and if you give him space, Traore can punish you. Or at least, he can get himself into a position to do so.

That’s the big issue with Traore – for all of his quality, he doesn’t actually provide all that much. Last season, the Spaniard scored just two Premier League goals and assisted just another two.

So you can’t look at Traore as someone who will step into your side and dominate. Instead, you’ve got to consider how Liverpool could use him.

And that pace and strength work really well for the Reds. Liverpool thrive on their threat on the break, above all else, and that forces teams to sit back against them.

Most of that threat comes through pressing. Liverpool will hit you hard and fast when they lose the ball, hoping to quickly win it back. Then, while you’re out of position, they attack the spaces to mount a rapid attack.

Traore is a player you can envisage doing just that. He’s strong enough to win the ball back quickly, and his pace allows him to hit that space. He could play a similar role against teams looking to control the ball against Liverpool – though, that’s only really Manchester City these days.

Traore’s fit at Liverpool is obvious, then – but only on paper. He’d still need to provide far more with the ball in order to compete with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota for the wide positions.

All three are prolific creators and goalscorers. Traore just isn’t that – yet.

At 25, he’s still young enough for Jurgen Klopp and co. to develop. We’ve said before that he has the right tools for Liverpool to work with.

And so that’s another way Traore fits well. Whoever takes him on needs patience and Liverpool can afford that with their wealth of attacking talent.

He’d be a squad player or a rotation player. Someone who doesn’t start the biggest games but can slot in effortlessly when called upon and is a threat from the bench.

And if Liverpool developed him right, Traore could become a perfect winger for them. At £30m, it’s probably a risk worth taking.