There’s been a curious reaction on social media to Liverpool’s drive to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s talisman, Florian Wirtz.
Far be it from FSG to employ a scattergun approach in the transfer market. Liverpool have only signed Federico Chiesa (for just £12.5m) since August 2023, when Jurgen Klopp built a new midfield.
Now, the Premier League champions are looking to invest, and though it’s true that Liverpool will break the British transfer record if they succeed in getting Wirtz’s signature inked in red, there’s little question he’s a “truly generational talent”, as has been noted by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.
Of course, Arne Slot’s side need more than just a new playmaker. Having already replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold with Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, efforts are being made across a myriad areas.
Richard Hughes must be a busy man, especially since he’s been forced to contend with the potential sale of one of the club’s biggest stars in Luis Diaz.
Liverpool's dream Diaz replacement
Diaz is one of the most valued members of Slot’s Liverpool squad. The Colombian started 38 games across all competitions this season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists.
However, he’s being pursued by Saudi club Al Nassr, and Barcelona are interested too.
Given that he’s 28 and entering the next-to-last year in his £55k-per-week contract, Diaz is understandably going to want either a new deal or a transfer away.
If Liverpool do cash in, with figures as high as €85m (£72m), it feels like a bit of a no-brainer, with the Merseysiders reportedly considering a swoop for Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.
The 24-year-old Gordon would cost a pretty penny himself – £80m pretty pennies, more precisely. However, this could be a stunning long-term capture for a terrific player.
And he’s not the only one being targeted to revamp Liverpool’s left flank.
Liverpool advancing to seal another signing after Wirtz
As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are ‘working again this week’ to seal a move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has already reached a total agreement with FSG on personal terms.
After a likely weekend breather, the clubs are ready to lock horns in transfer battle once again this week in order to strike the same chord.
The Cherries are holding firm on their £45m valuation of the 21-year-old, a likely sticking point, although Liverpool are “willing to go close to that”, as per correspondent David Lynch, who stressed there is nought to worry about.
Why Milos Kerkez would be a dream alongside Gordon
In March, Kerkez was described by Troy Deeney as being “one of the best left-backs in the world already.” Deeney might not always get his Liverpool-related takes right, but the retired striker is on the money with this one.
The Hungarian prospect joined Bournemouth from AZ Alkmaar in July 2023 in a £15m deal, since going from strength to strength, nailing down an important spot in Andoni Iraola’s outfit.
And “the frightening thing is he’s not even at his peak yet”, as said by pundit Izzy Christensen. Kerkez’s energy and athleticism will surely prove a game-changer next term, easing the responsibility on the declining Andy Robertson’s shoulders.
Moreover, he could forge a proper partnership with Gordon on that left-hand side, for the Magpies man is potent and electric in his attacking play, but also tenacious and committed to completing his defensive duties.
At his essence, though, Gordon is a forward, and earning Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Year after posting 28 goal contributions across the campaign and leading Eddie Howe’s side through an injury-ravaged season.
Perhaps his struggles to influence Newcastle’s recently concluded campaign stem from Liverpool’s failed approach last summer. In any case, Gordon is a nightmarish opponent to face, and with Kerkez in behind him, FSG would secure a partnership for many years to come.
As per Sofacore, Kerkez won 60% of his ground duels and created eight big chances in the Premier League this season, underscoring his balanced qualities.
Adding to that, the high-flying prospect’s tireless running led to an obscene amount of ground being covered across the campaign (see Sofascore), which is more than can be said for Robertson, who across the whole Premier League campaign managed just 0.2 dribbles per game, succeeding with a miserable 41% of his efforts.
The Scotsman also created fewer big chances than Kerkez with seven, so the new recruit would be fostering a rising creative flair, which could serve Gordon very well indeed.
Across his two full terms with Newcastle in the Premier League, the Three Lions star has scored 17 goals while only missing 19 big chances, which isn’t the most clinical metric in the division but does suggest he’s got a prolific streak about him that Kerkez’s support would only enhance.
Finally, Kerkez ranked among the top 6% of full-backs in the Premier League this year for crosses into the penalty area per 90 (0.73), as per FBref, providing a source for Gordon to latch onto with his loping strides, or indeed to meet the centre-forward fans are hoping to see come through the Anfield gates before the window’s done and dusted.
With Robertson on the way out and Trent already lapping up the Spanish rays, a new creative full-back force is duly needed, and Kerkez certainly fits the bill.
1
Trent Alexander-Arnold
64
2
Andy Robertson
60
3
Leighton Baines
53
4
Graeme Le Saux
44
5
Kieran Trippier
38
Fuelling Gordon from the defensive area, charging forward when he deems it the right time, Kerkez would be a breath of fresh air for Slot’s side, fixing the biggest chink in the armour and ensuring the Reds have the means to do it all over again next year.
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