Liverpool-linked Francisco Conceicao failed to impress for Portugal on Sunday.
The Juventus star has been mooted as a potential Mo Salah replacement, but he’s a player not every Liverpool fan will be familiar with. Some more curious fans might have tuned into the 23-year-old during a scoreless draw against Mexico. They won’t have been all that impressed.
A particularly damning assessment comes from his own native media, who make a claim that flies in the face of Conceicao as a suitable replacement for the outgoing Liverpool legend.
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Portuguese media criticism of Francisco Conceicao a red flag for Liverpool
Portugal would have expected to beat this Mexico side, but they struggled to break down a stubborn defence and create much danger.
Conceicao was emblematic of that. In 46 minutes, he had just one touch in the opposition box, created zero chances and completed zero successful dribbles.
After the game, he was subjected to plenty of criticism.
Publico write: “On the side of the wings, Conceicao again left the indication that he is more useful to leave on the bench than to start in the eleven.”
That’s not too promising from a Liverpool perspective. The player who replaces Salah will be expected to be heavily involved for Arne Slot.
Record discusses the attack as a whole, claiming they ‘lacked efficiency’ in front of goal in an uninspiring performance.
Another publication, A Bola, gave Conceicao a 4/10 rating. They explain: “Restless and irreverent, he tried to liven up the national team’s right wing, though he didn’t always succeed, partly because of the Mexican defensive wall, which he ran into on several occasions.”
Why Liverpool should avoid Conceicao
Whoever Liverpool identify to bolster the front line for next season needs to be ready to shoulder the responsibility of being one of the primary attacking outlets for Slot.
Conceicao has been lauded for his performances at Juventus this season, but his three goals and three assists show he isn’t the final-third threat Liverpool would need him to be.
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This is a decisive recruitment decision FSG have to make, and anything but a sure thing should really be avoided.
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