Following weeks of speculation concerning Jurgen Klopp’s immense interest to land RB Leipzig’s star striker Timo Werner, betting company BetVictor are now seemingly confident that the German international could make his way to Anfield this summer. Among his suitors, according to the bookies, include some European superpowers like Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Juventus.
But, Klopp’s reputation in Germany might see them edge out the others in the race, and their participation in the Champions League only increases their chances. Despite starting the season on a high, which saw the Reds on a winning run against all big opponents, injuries to key players and the unavailability of Sadio Mane in the midseason pretty much spoiled their chances in the title race.
While Liverpool still had the likes of the hardworking Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi up front, they weren’t sufficient to fire them to the top. The injury-prone Daniel Sturridge helped little in their cause. With the elite European campaign, one of the primary targets next season, Klopp cannot afford to take any such risks now.
With Sturridge eyeing an exit in the summer, Klopp is desperately looking for a replacement with similar potential up front. And Werner’s huge break into the European scene has caught his attention. The 21-year-old centre-forward has been a sensation in the Bundesliga this season scoring 21 goals and assisting seven times in 31 league appearances. His phenomenal displays at the top level have even got him a national call-up earlier this year.
The best thing about the Stuttgart-born striker has been his sheer confidence against the toughest of defences. Leipzig produced an absolute gem of a performance against Bayern in the ending weeks of the season, which saw the emerging side lose out by just a goal in a 5-4 thriller. Werner was unstoppable in that game as he got two goals that saw him named the man of the match against the Bundesliga champions.
He has been involved in nine goals in Leipzig’s last ten games, making him a hot prospect in the upcoming transfer market. In the Torjägerkanone, which is Bundesliga’s top scorer’s competition, Werner is only behind the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony Modeste.
Without a doubt, Liverpool will get a huge boost if they manage to land him. The Reds have lost their once-glorious stature in Europe and obviously cannot attract the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann or Andrea Belotti.
However, Leipzig are determined to hold on to their star striker for the next season and their strong financial condition means they are under no pressure to sell any players; which makes this deal increasingly difficult for Liverpool.
