Liverpool can just about justify making an offer for Marco Asensio this summer. The Reds reportedly have eyes on the player.
AS reported last week that Liverpool want Marco Asensio and reports all over Spain now back that up. Sport and Mundo Deportivo certainly do, anyway.
But it’s a strange one. Asensio only has one year left on his contract with Real Madrid and is available to buy. However, Los Blancos want £34m for the player, per AS’s report. That’s a lot of money for a player on an expiring deal. In fact, it’s what Bayern Munich will pay to sign Sadio Mané – and Asensio certainly isn’t on that level.
There are also the claims that Asensio wants to leave Real in order to play regular first-team football. Now, he’s unlikely to get that as a forward at Liverpool, either. But we think the Reds can justify a move here and may yet convince the Spaniard.
Liverpool can justify Marco Asensio offer
Asensio has primarily played on the wings for Real but we’re not sure that’s his best role. Statistically, he’s far more creative when playing in the middle.
Per Understat, Asensio creates around 2.26 chances per 90 when playing as an attacking midfielder. That’s the highest of any regular position he plays, while his ‘Expected assists’ stats suggest playing centre-midfield, attacking-midfield and centre-forward are his best positions.
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This is where we think Liverpool could use Asensio. There’s no real reason to sign him for the wings, what with so many options there already. But we do believe Jurgen Klopp will move towards playing creative, attacking-midfielders going forward.
That’s what signing Darwin Nunez suggests. Liverpool have operated with a creative False 9 until now but Nunez isn’t that. Instead, Klopp will have to look elsewhere to create in central positions and their three young midfielders – Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Fabio Carvalho – all point to a future with midfield playmakers.
All are young, however – Asensio, on the other hand, is in his prime years. If Liverpool want to initiate this change in style right now, the Spaniard is a wonderful option to go for. The fact he could also cover the right-wing behind Mohamed Salah is simply a bonus that adds even more logic to a deal here.
We won’t hold our breath – Liverpool might be finished with incoming deals – but there is some sense to this one.