liverpool The team has had a world-class forward line for the better part of a decade, but a common theme has been the lack of an out-and-out playmaker.
Oh sure, Phil Coutinho teased Premier League He sat behind Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Bobby Firmino during that period in 2017, but later forced his way out of Barcelona The cost is up to £142 million At the midpoint of that season, it proved to be a watershed moment.
|
Philippe Coutinho: PL Stats 17/18 |
|
|---|---|
|
Match statistics |
# |
|
Game (start) |
14 (13) |
|
Target |
7 |
|
Assist |
6 |
|
Completed by |
79% |
|
Key Pass* |
2.9 |
|
Dribbling* |
2.8 |
|
Tackle* |
1.2 |
|
Total number of duels won* |
5.6 |
|
Statistics passed Sofa Rating (* = every game) |
|
Harvey Elliott is currently pushing for a bigger role in Slott’s side, with the tireless Dominik Szoboszlai starting most weeks , but he’s not really a player. organizational core, In a real sense.
Jurgen KloppThe team’s long-term dominance was carried out by the main midfielder, with the full-backs overlapping to create opportunities from the wings, and the aforementioned three frontcourt players breaking up the defense in beautiful tandem.
But Slott is no Klopp, and while his system has certain similarities to his predecessor, some differences point to the inclusion of a skilled playmaker tasked with the clear purpose of creating and influencing in the middle of the park , thus adding a dimension to the already multi-layered Liverpool team.
Liverpool eyeing another striker
Discussions of a new dynamic ten-man squad hinge entirely on reports that Liverpool have a vested interest in Lyon’s Rayan Cherki, who has impressed for the Ligue 1 side this season.
It feels great that FSG are pushing to add another talented striker to Liverpool’s squad when other areas of the pitch are clearly in need of attention, but who can blame them when Cherki are available for such a nominal fee? ?
According to French Outlet Foot Mercato reportLiverpool are pushing to sign 21-year-old Cherki in a January transfer window. This talented Frenchman is The contract period is until June 2026 The price is therefore just €30 million (£25 million).
Paris Saint-Germain are also interested and staying in their hometown with the dominant team in the division might have some appeal, but Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe at the moment and playing in such a dynamic attack might Dominate.
Sky Germany previously revealed that a winter transfer cannot be ruled out, so Liverpool may now be forced to take action to stop any rivals snatching one of the greatest young playmakers of this generation.
What Rayan Cherki will bring to Liverpool
Liverpool’s attack is indeed well-rounded, and behind the argument that it would be better to shift energy elsewhere is the credible fact that this summer’s only signing is Federico Chiesa joins for £12.5m Coming from Juventus, the impact was minimal.
But Cherki doesn’t quite fit into that category, instead being overshadowed by a fluid career that would see him work between the defensive lines, shuttling between attacking midfield and the wings usually covered by Salah. However, he was different from the Egyptians.
Lyon are not doing well this season, but Cherki is in good form, Contributed 5 goals and 7 assists Played in 17 games across all competitions. However, it’s not his output that really wins him accolades, but his quick feet and skilled talent.
Actually, Former Chelsea star Frank LeBoeuf He has already praised the rookie as “one of the best players on the planet” while talking about the player’s skills and skills, considering he is stylistically comparable to Cole Palmermaybe there’s something in that comment.
Palmer is a playmaker at his core, but the Chelsea superstar’s performances are otherworldly and can’t really be defined by his positioning.
At just 22 years old, Palmer is widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League and has 57 goals in 63 games Since leaving Manchester City to join Chelsea cost £42.5m.
An attacking midfielder with the artistic license to do what he wants, something only a handful of world-class players around the globe are afforded, Palmer is the poster boy for the Premier League and Liverpool Their own version is now available at Cherki via data-driven website FBref that records pairings as statistically comparable players.
|
Cole Palmer vs Rayan Cherki (last 365 days) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 people) |
||
|
Target |
0.80 |
0.31 |
|
Assist |
0.56 |
0.62 |
|
Create the action of the shot |
5.91 |
7.28 |
|
progressive pass |
6.44 |
8.67 |
|
progressive carry |
3.86 |
4.80 |
|
Successfully undertaken |
1.66 |
4.39 |
|
ball recovery |
3.27 |
5.37 |
|
Statistics via FBref |
||
It’s a testament to Cherki’s athleticism and consistency that he outshines Palmer in a range of relevant metrics. Of course, he’s not yet as rudely ignoring the goalkeeper as he once was, but keep working, keep working.
It bodes well for Cherki’s chances of succeeding in Slott’s Liverpool side, though, as the Dutch tactician will need hard work and commitment to the cause, and the French ace is showing what seems to be the answer to that. A style tailor-made for quality.
The midfielder’s suitability as Salah’s long-term successor is up for debate, but Liverpool would be wise to go ahead and sign him before other suitors get there.
Who knows, maybe Sloter will carve his own Palmer-style sensation out of his mercurial talents.






