According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are ready to battle it out with Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Memphis Depay. The Olympique Lyon winger has attracted a lot of interest from clubs across Europe, thanks to his performances in the Ligue 1. However, it is believed that Depay could cost around €50m. So is he worth the outlay for the Reds?
Why Depay could be an excellent signing for Liverpool
Despite their excellent start to the season, Liverpool are in need of attacking reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window. They have often appeared far too reliant on the services of their offensive trio in Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
Salah and Mane, in particular, have scored a lot of goals for the Reds in the Premier League this term. And while their contributions have indeed a brilliant, Jurgen Klopp is currently devoid of any reliable alternative and could invite trouble, should either of these two players get injured during the course of the season.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain is yet to be reinstated as a first-team regular for the Reds while both Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri have struggled with injuries. Depay, to that end, appears as a viable target for Klopp.
The Dutchman has impressed a lot in the Ligue 1, having been involved in 92 goals in just 130 competitive matches. This season, he has already netted seven goals in ten games, helping Lyon somehow remain in the top six. His productivity, therefore, could help Liverpool become much deadlier going forward.
How will Depay fit into Klopp’s plans?
The potential arrival of Depay would likely pave the way for both Lallana and Shaqiri to leave the club. That means the Dutchman could become the primary alternative for the duo of Salah and Mane, along with Oxlade-Chamberlain.
As far as accommodating him in the starting eleven is concerned, Klopp could utilise Depay as the false nine, at the expense of Roberto Firmino, who could benefit from being rested from time to time. The ex-Manchester United flop has experience of playing in that position, especially for the Dutch national team.
He could, therefore, provide Klopp with more versatility in the final third. Moreover, Depay’s willingness to close down defenders tunes in well with the German’s Gegenpressing style of football.
And most importantly, the winger is also capable of testing the goalkeeper from long-range, which could potentially make him an upgrade over Firmino if he can replicate his goal-scoring performances in his potential return to the Premier League.
