In a recent column with The Times (subscription required), journalist Tony Cascarino reckons that Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha will be a ‘perfect’ for Liverpool when he said,
“It is difficult to see where Wilfried Zaha could go. I think he would be perfect for Liverpool.”
“He would put pressure on the frontline trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, but the champions are unlikely to want to pay for a back-up player the kind of fee Palace are demanding.”
Zaha’s Recent Record At Selhurst Park
The Ivorian centre-forward has made a bright start to this Premier League campaign after netting the only goal of the game in his team’s 1-0 win over Southampton last weekend. However, the Abidjan-born speedster encountered a challenging season at Selhurst Park last season when he struggled to find a run of consistency as a key component of Roy Hodgson’s frontline.
Zaha ended the 2019-20 campaign with four goals and five assists to his name in 39 matches for the Eagles across all fronts. The 27-year-old was a potent threat for the opposition out on the wide areas as evident from his average of 1.6 shots, 0.9 key passes and 4.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in the English first division. Zaha was relatively tidy with his ball-distribution as well after completing 81.1% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
The former Manchester United forward is currently playing at his prime, so it’s high time for him to seek a move to a bigger club if he wants to win some trophies at the top level. Liverpool will be an ideal destination for the player as he could flourish playing under the expert tutelage of Jurgen Klopp, who would help him take his game to another level.
What Will The Ivory Coast International Offer On The Field?
Zaha can run with the ball at breakneck speed and is usually quite unpredictable in the way he operates in the final third. He has a low centre of gravity that allows him to make intelligent turns and is proficient at getting a few shots in at goal. The Ivorian striker has built a reputation for earning penalties as he is good at inviting the opposition to commit themselves before deceiving them at the last possible second inside the penalty box. However, he needs to improve his productivity considerably if he intends to taste success in England someday.
Should The Reds Launch A Move For Zaha This Summer?
The Reds are currently a bit short in the attacking department as the likes of Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi have struggled to hit top gear with their performances of late. A proven Premier League forward like Zaha would be a welcome addition to Klopp’s squad as he can be an excellent back-up to Mane and Salah.
Plus, the 17-time Ivory Coast international could also serve as a decent back-up to Firmino due to his incredible pace to stretch the opposition on the counter. Hence, the Merseyside giants should consider listening to Cascarino’s advice by launching a move for Zaha during this summer transfer period.
