With Sadio Mane leaving Liverpool to play in the African Cup of Nations in January, Liverpool’s form could take a dip as the other option in his place, Danny Ings, has also been also out of the season with knee injury. Jürgen Klopp will have to find alternatives. However, it is very difficult to pick up preferential players in the mid-season.
T4O looks at of the possible alternatives, Klopp can look out for.
Christian Pulisic- The fact that he has earlier been linked with a possible move to Liverpool and Klopp knowing the youngster very well makes him not only a potential but a [possible signing in the January transfer window. Liverpool were known to be after the 18-year-old in the summer transfer season but the deal could not happen. It seems like the striker’s arrival is imminent but delayed.
But, since Dortmund are doing whatever they can to retain him, his price tag has increased and the young attacking midfielder is now pretty high in demand after his current season’s exploits. At 172 cm, Pulisic is not the tallest of players, but that isn’t a massive factor considering players like Santi Cazorla, N’Golo Kanté, and Eden Hazard all thriving in the League.
In his playing style, Pulisic displays similar attributes to Mane. The way he dribbles past opponents in the attacking third makes him a constant threat for the opponent’s defence. His ability has helped him to bag 2 goals in Bundesliga and 1 goal in the Champions league. The USA international could really be a big boost for Klopp’s title challenge.
Moussa Marega- There have been reports that Liverpool are keeping eyes on this Mali International. The FC Porto player is currently on loan at Vitoria de Guimaraes and has been brilliant so far. The Reds had even sent scouts to monitor the 25-year-old and they have returned with positive news.
With a release clause of 35 million pounds, the forward seems to be a decent buy in that position. The 183 cm forward could prove to be a decent aerial threat in the Liverpool squad, who otherwise lack tall players up front (although they have scored the most via set-pieces this season). Klopp could be looking at a second-dimensional attack in the squad with Marega up front.
Lorenzo Insigne- This Napoli player has also been linked to Liverpool and if reports are to be believed, his agent has hinted that the 25-year-old Italian will be leaving his boyhood club Napoli with things in the final stage.
The central attacking midfielder, who is left-footed and could play both from the center and through the left flank, Insigne is on course to become a lethal forward. His pace and stamina could be a huge plus for Klopp’s tactics of playing, who believes in changing defence to attack in a blink of an eye.
Insigne has appeared 6 times for Napoli this season and has 1 assist till now. He put in a man of the match performance for his side against Bologna last month.
