Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for Ligue 1 forward Gaëtan Laborde as Jurgen Klopp aims to strengthen his attack ahead of a vital season that could most probably decide his future at the club. The French forward has earned rave reviews from the French league with his positive displays in front of the goal the last term.
With Champions League secured for next season, the Reds would expect a little continuity in the elite tournament from here, given they now have one of the best coaches in the world and some of the finest players. Although Liverpool ended the season in a jittery manner, Klopp mostly saw a smooth run.
The weakest link, though, has been their defence with the Reds conceding the most number of goals among the top four sides, Klopp experienced a huge void up front in the season ending with a thin bench to facilitate. Sadio Mane was ruled out of the season with last few weeks remaining and Daniel Sturridge maintained his infirmity with repeated injuries.
Liverpool even had to play Roberto Firmino on the flanks in the last few weeks, who though not as fast as Mane or Sturridge, did the job for the manager. And with Liverpool battling on four fronts next season and Sturridge a likely departure, Klopp is looking to add someone like Laborde who can keep the scoreboard ticking from the central false number 9 role.
In an otherwise underwhelming season for FC Girondins Bordeaux, the 23-year-old had a decent campaign with 13 goals and five assists in all competitions. With Bordeaux finishing in the sixth position of the Ligue 1 table, Laborde would surely not miss any chance of moving to a better club. Liverpool have reportedly already made an enquiry about his availability and the club is unlikely to be able to stop him.
An academy product of Bordeaux, Laborde has been on loan stints with clubs from his underage days. He went on a one-year long loan deal with Red Star FC following his breaking into Bordeaux’s B team. A successful season there and he broke into the first team in 2014.
It was followed by two loan stints at Stade Brest 29 and Clermont Foot Auvergne 63. While Stade Brest wasn’t very successful, Laborde did make an impression with eight goals in 28 outings for Clermont Foot. It was followed by his first top flight full season in the last term.
However, France’s national team is tremendously competitive and Laborde would need much more than that to squeeze in among Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, Moussa Dembele and Kylian Mbappe. And Liverpool could provide him with the platform to prove his mettle.
