According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are interested in the services of David Neres amid fears regarding Mohamed Salah’s long-term future at the club. It is believed that the Egyptian international will leave Anfield at the end of the season. As a result, the Reds have identified Neres as a potential replacement, though they might have to fork out a significant amount of cash to sign this Ajax star.
Neres’ success at Ajax
A product of the Sao Paulo youth academy, Neres initially moved to Ajax at the start of 2017 for a fee of €12m. He was involved in six league goals during the remainder of the 2016/17 campaign. As a result, he became a first-team regular at the club in the following season.
Neres didn’t disappoint as he was involved in 27 goals during the 2017/18 season, even though Ajax missed out on the title. However, the Brazilian enjoyed the best season of his career in the previous term. Even though the Ajax starlet was involved in 19 league goals, Neres helped his club win the Eredivisie title as well as reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
The young winger hasn’t exactly been prolific in this new season, scoring just two goals in eight matches. But, that will surely improve once he gets a bit more game-time.
What can he bring to the table?
Neres is a versatile winger, who can operate on both flanks. He prefers to play on the right as it becomes easier for him to cut inside with his left foot. He generally likes to move into the central areas of the pitch and take on defenders.
His excellent scoring statistics at Ajax highlights the Brazilian’s tendency to get inside the opposition penalty box. Moreover, he boasts blistering pace that makes him a scourge for the defenders on the counter.
Is Neres an ideal target for Liverpool?
Most of Neres’ strengths including his pace, technical prowess and goalscoring ability fits in well with Liverpool’s style of play under Jurgen Klopp. At the age of 22, the ex-Sao Paulo sensation has time on his side and could become an asset for Liverpool in the coming years, especially if he can combine well with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
However, the Reds should monitor the youngster’s progress at Ajax for now so that they can make sure that his stuttering start to the campaign is only a minor blip more than anything else.
