Liverpool’s exciting summer window had one particular setback when they backed out from signing French midfield star Nabil Fekir despite agreeing terms. The medical team was reportedly scared over the state of his right knee that had torn ligaments a few years back and the supporters, exhilarated over the arrival of an esteemed playmaker, were dejected but had mixed perception over the failed move of Lyon skipper.
Fekir, meanwhile, went on to win the World Cup 2018 glory after that and made a strong start to the new campaign with his boyhood club. Although the fans are still speculating a winter move for the decorated Frenchman, Liverpool, are unlikely to gamble £53m on a player who had such horrific injury nightmares in recent past.
The Reds had a couple of similar calls before and proved to be spot on both occasions. The transfer move of Sylvain Marveaux from Rennes broke down due to a persisting groin injury whereas Loic Remy failed to clear his medical with heart issues. Both Marveaux and Remy had fitness concerns ever since and the club must have feared the same for Fekir before pulling the plug.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old versatile attacker could have sorted out many problems the Merseysiders are currently encountering in midfield despite an incredible start to the season. It is indeed difficult to replace someone of Philippe Coutinho’s calibre, but the Lyon sensation holds attributes required to replicate a similar show in Premier League football. Besides his goals and assists, Fekir has stunning set-piece skills, impressive footwork, ability to fit in a free role and break down opponents’ defensive resilience with ambitious through passes in the attacking third.
Liverpool have struggled to attain these of late in relatively strenuous ties, and the hard work and counter-pressing of James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson did not hide their inefficiency while creating goal-bound opportunities. The crisis upfront amid a futile run of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane could have been resolved too due to Fekir’s ability to slot in down the flanks thus allowing Klopp an alternate plan to execute in unfavourable circumstances.
All of these, however, would have been possible if he had stayed fit while adjusting to the pace and physicality of the English game. Any setback on his right knee might still rule him out for an indefinite period with constant injury problems for the rest of his career. The Reds are already in a mix-up over the fitness concerns of English duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana. Spending heftily on the Frenchman, therefore, would have been a huge risk considering the agility, energy and robustness demanded to fit in Klopp’s ‘gegenpressing’and ‘heavy metal football’.
