Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of Lautaro Martinez.
The Liverpool boss was asked by liverpoolfc.com for his thoughts on being drawn against Inter Milan in the Champions League last-16.
“Obviously Sanchez and Dzeko we know well – and Lautaro Martinez is one of the most exciting strikers in the world, probably”, he said.
Klopp’s comments should not taken as an admission of Liverpool’s interest in Martinez. But it is rare to hear him speak this way on a rumoured transfer target.
Contract uncertainty for Liverpool
Liverpool’s need for a new forward is obvious. Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are all out of contract in 18 months.
Salah and Mane are said to be negotiating fresh terms, but it is strangely quiet on the Firmino front.
It is the Brazilian that Martinez can be compared to. There are definite similarities in the way he likes to drop deeper and link play.
If Klopp sees Firmino’s time at Anfield coming to an end in 2023, the Inter number 10 could be a natural successor.
Firmino 2.0?
Martinez is more prolific than Firmino.
He has scored 59 goals in all competitions since he joined Inter in 2018 – 16 more than “Bobby” has managed in that time.
Firmino betters him 31 to 22 in assists but, at 24, Martinez has plenty of years of development left.
He also comes with experience of winning trophies.
Martinez added last summer’s Copa America trophy to the league title he was key to winning last season at Inter.
Leading the title charge for Inter
He has 10 goals and two assists in 15 Serie A appearances this season.
Despite Tottenham apparently agreeing a fee for him in the summer, Martinez has stayed put to help Inter to the top of the league table.
His loyalty was rewarded with a new contract in October.
That runs until 2026 which means Lautaro wouldn’t come cheap.
But his development potential, goal-scoring record and history of winning make him well worth Liverpool breaking the bank for.
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