Liverpool really stole Manchester United’s thunder as they announced the signing English Under-20 international Dominic Solanke from Chelsea on the same day as the Red Devils revealed Romelu Lukaku. The former Chelsea forward had already agreed for the move back in May when he was at the Under-20s World Cup.
As per reports, the Reds have to incur the cost of compensation as the player hasn’t reached 23 yet and the fee would be decided by the tribunal. However, it is expected that Liverpool would get him for something in the region of £3 million with his contract worth around £20,000 per week.
Jurgen Klopp isn’t a manager who gets impressed easily and Solanke must have the quality to make it big. The English youngster did have a brilliant run in England’s Under-20 World Cup success as the Basingstoke forward managed four goals in it. At 186cm, Solanke has shown his poaching instincts in the centre forward role and we expect him to take up Klopp’s preferred false number 9 role in the absence of Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool had scored an impressive 78 goals last season and the Brazilian international had played a mammoth role in their success as the Reds made a return to Champions League football after two years. And although Solanke arrives at Anfield on the back of assurances of first-team football, it is difficult to see that happening.
Despite Liverpool playing more matches next season owing to their European commitment, Solanke would be too big a risk for Klopp to start with in these games. And the decision of Klopp to not sell Daniel Sturridge this season further complicates the matter. Solanke sounded extremely happy upon donning the Liverpool shirt, but we don’t expect him to be that way as the season starts running.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Solanke expressed, “It feels amazing and everyone has made me feel welcome already. Even just pulling on the training top, I was over the moon. Hopefully, I can put on the shirt in the near future and make some good history here.”
Even if we assume Sturridge’s recurring injury woes continue next season and he misses a good 10-15 games throughout the campaign, it would be difficult for Klopp to just drop Divock Origi or Danny Ings from the third-choice position. Of course, both of them suffered serious injuries of late, which makes their form questionable, but they are clearly more proven than Solanke.
While it remains a conundrum that would only get revealed in August, we can assure Solanke’s brilliant athleticism, who could use his tall and agile figure to bring a fresh breath of energy in the dying minutes. But, we expect the player to largely play in the EFL Cup and early FA Cup games.
