Rumours of a possible transfer for Dominic Solanke this January was raised by Swansea City manager Paul Clements even though he was quoted to be “not a realistic target”.
The 2017 under-20 World Cup winner signed with the Reds in the summer after his contract with Chelsea expired. The Chelsea youth product who impressed largely in the summer and made the headlines by winning the Golden Ball in the u-20 World Cup has been considered a bright potential for England. However, he has had to wait for his chance in the first team over the choices of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Mohammed Salah.
Klopp greatly appreciates Solanke’s talent as he praised him after his first team debut against Stoke City. “A fantastic player. He can improve in pretty much everything but is already a good player. I am very happy to be able to give him this opportunity.”
Liverpool are profiting tremendously from their summer transfer arrivals like Mohammed Salah, who is leading the league in goals and is putting up scintillating performances one match after the other. They also were successful in keeping their star playmaker Philippe Coutinho from a move away to Barcelona. With Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino already affirming their places in the starting eleven on a rotation basis, chances to get into the first team are questionable for Dominic Solanke right now.
Solanke left Chelsea for Liverpool in search of more game time and although under Klopp the forward has been given comparatively more time than he was at Chelsea, it is far from what is necessary for Solanke. He has clocked a total 194 minutes of action this season and is yet to find the back of the net for the Reds.
It would be suitable for both the club and the player to send Solanke out on loan for just one more season where he can grow and prove his potential. Coming off the bench after 75 minutes for every match is not ideal for a striker’s growth as his game then depends very much on the team’s scoreline rather than his own style of play.
Swansea City manager Clements admits he needs more firepower to shift the club out of relegation spot before the end of the season. They lost their best player, Gylfi Sigurdsson in the summer to Everton and are struggling to find the back of the net. They need someone of Solanke’s quality to take over the offensive end of the pitch.
Although not a like-for-like replacement as an attacking midfielder, Solanke’s strength and skill on the ball alongside his poacher-like instincts will definitely help bolster their attack and help them put in a few under the win column.
