da wazamba： With a pair of goalkeepers providing little in the way of confidence and the joint-worst defensive record of any team in the Premier League’s top seven, the casual observer would probably suggest that additions at the back end of Jurgen Klopp’s XI are needed when the transfer window opens in a few weeks’ time.
da dobrowin： So, this makes links between the Reds and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha all the more interesting. Indeed, Football Whispers claim that the Merseyside club – as we discuss in depth here – are keen on the 24-year-old wide attacker, as they plan their business ahead of what could be a vital few weeks in their season.
Klopp’s team are six points shy of Chelsea at the top of the table and have a great chance to go all the way to claim their first ever title of the Premier League era. One or two choice additions, then, could be enough to make the dream a reality, and we think that Zaha would be a wise purchase.
Not convinced? Well, here are THREE reasons why…
The Mane issue
Without doubt the biggest issue Liverpool face over the coming weeks is marinating their form without Sadio Mane in January. The Senegalese attacker has been, arguably, the signing of the season so far, transitioning seamlessly from life at Southampton to Merseyside while proving those who questioned his consistency wrong in emphatic fashion.
But the Africa Cup of Nations looms large, and Mane may be away with Senegal until early February – a vital period of the season – following Liverpool’s clash with Sunderland on January 2.
His Merseyside Derby-winning tap-in on Monday night was the 24-year-old’s eighth league goal of the season so far – the highest tally of any player in Klopp’s squad – proving how valuable he has been in the Reds’ free-flowing forward line.
However, Mane’s importance cannot be measured entirely in stats, with the pace he offers leaving opposition defences fearful of pushing up the pitch, accordingly allowing Liverpool to keep possession around the final third and pin teams back, while he’s a threat on the counter-attack when opponents do push forward.
With Roberto Firmino, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho as the triumvirate last season, Liverpool looked a little one-dimensional – there’s a risk of that happening again without their African ace.
Zaha is not dissimilar to Mane in that he boasts the sort of speed that keeps full-backs in their own half of the pitch, while he’s a direct threat in terms of dribbling and taking on opponents.
Form of his life
Zaha’s career has stagnated over the past few years following a somewhat ill-advised move to Manchester United. The winger was one of the players that suffered most during the David Moyes debacle at Old Trafford, with the Scot not in a position to take a risk on a largely unproven wide player when results were so poor and the pressure so high. Granted, Zaha did little to prove his worth when called upon, with his lack of end product the glaring issue.
Since then he’s been on loan at Cardiff (whom he was relegated with In 2013/14) for six months and back at Palace (initially on loan); spells during which the same old problems have reoccurred. Up until the start of 2016/17, the Ivory Coast-born man had directly contributed to just ten Premier League goals (six goals and four assists), but in 16 outings this term he’s already been involved in nine (three goals and, impressively, six assists).
On top of this, only Eden Hazard (71) has completed more take-ons than Zaha’s 70, showing that he’s a real threat when running at opposing players, who have fouled him 44 times.
In short, the two-cap England international is in the form of his career, which hints that he’s ready to make the next step.
Options needed
Philippe Coutinho’s injury has exposed a lack of depth in the Liverpool squad few had appreciated. The Brazilian has been out of action since the win at home to Sunderland with ankle ligament damage and has been joined on the sidelines by Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can for much of that time. In the absence of key players, Klopp’s bench has often included teenagers Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander Arnold and Ovie Ejaria, who, although talented, are not the sort of players the German can expect to change a game when needed.
Of course, signing a player for upwards of £20m – £25m (Zaha is likely to command such a fee) to be another option is not ideal. But removing money from the equation, boasting another attack-minded player with pace and skill would be a fine weapon for the Reds to have as they hunt down a first ever Premier League title. On top of this, a return to European football in some form in 2017/18 looks nailed-on, so Klopp will need a bigger squad to work with.