Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted in his pre-Leeds press conference that the Reds need to involve Alexander Isak more in games.
Isak, 26, joined the Anfield outfit in the summer for a British record fee of £125million. Last season Jamie Carragher declared him ‘the best striker in the Premier League’. He scored 27 goals in all competitions for Newcastle United, including the winner in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, against Liverpool.
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Isak’s involvement on the ball in the Premier League |
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|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Hits per match |
Passes per game |
|
25/26 – LFC |
17.1 |
5.6 (65%) |
|
24/25 – CNUF |
33.3 |
14.9 (77%) |
|
23/24 – CNUF |
26.8 |
12.6 (80%) |
|
22/23 – CNUF |
29.5 |
12.5 (78%) |
|
Data via Sofascore |
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But he works hard at his new club, and in vain. This speaks to the wider tactical imbalances within the club at present, with the attackers all struggling, as well as the midfielders and defenders.
A change is needed, but with new elite center forward options, FSG are turning their attention to Liverpool’s attacking flanks.
Liverpool lining up a wide striker
Last month, Slot was asked about Liverpool’s transfer plans ahead of the January transfer window as dismal form raged on. That stain has only grown since then, but the manager has suggested the Premier League champions’ priority lies not in the rearguard but on the wing.
Liverpool failed to replace Luis Diaz when they sold the versatile Colombian to Bayern Munich in August, and that was clearly a mistake. Cody Gakpo knows where the back of the net is, but he is somewhat one-dimensional, with fans annoyed by the regularity of his cut inside when the ball finds him in the left channel.
Perhaps that’s why rumors have resurfaced regarding Liverpool’s interest in Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with TEAMtalk suggesting this week that Anfield is one of the few places the Brazilian would consider joining; Arsenal was also mentioned.
Rodrygo may be divorcing the Los Blancos superstar, but that doesn’t mean Florentino Perez will let the 25-year-old leave on the cheap, moving him on a temporary transfer for around €90m (£79m).
Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo
It’s no secret that Liverpool are keen to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January, but Rodrygo is cut from finer cloth, with the Brazil international having also conquered Europe and Spain during his time at Real Madrid.
In 286 senior matches he has scored 68 goals and provided 53 assists, and last year Jude Bellingham said “he is probably the most gifted player in the team”, with frightening speed, deadly finishing and a versatile approach to attacking play.
Although he has served Real Madrid’s wishes on the right flank for most of his career, Rodrygo actually prefers to play on the left flank. The right foot feels he is most clinical in this role, and last season, although he struggled overall, he scored six goals and provided six assists in just 12 outings.
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Rodrygo – Career Statistics by Position |
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Applications |
Goals |
Aids |
|
Right winger |
148 |
34 |
31 |
|
Left winger |
89 |
23 |
18 |
|
Center forward |
85 |
22 |
8 |
|
Attacking midfielder |
4 |
– |
1 |
|
Dates via Transfermarkt |
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Rodrygo would surely replace Gakpo and cement a regular starting spot under Slot’s wing at Liverpool. Gakpo, sometimes scapegoated this season, is still not the multi-faceted wide player that Diaz was, and Rodrygo would restore that presence that FSG is so intent on replacing.
Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by his former teammate Luka Modric, he is the real deal, with a pedigree on the biggest stage and so much more to give. Rodrygo has lost his way in Spain, but at Liverpool he could become a leading man, especially with Mohamed Salah seemingly on the way out.
He is a man of many dimensions, and he indeed has more in his locker than Gakpo, although the Dutchman has averaged 2.2 chances created per game in the Premier League this season, the most of any Liverpool player and the fifth highest average in the division.
But Rodrygo, even at his lowest, ranks in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for passing, top 15% for shot-creating actions, top 5% for progressive carries and top 18% for tackles won per 90, according to FBref.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 meters from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
There is no doubt that Rodrygo would raise Liverpool’s level, adding width, pace and dynamism down the left flank and perhaps serving on the right when called upon.
Gakpo enjoyed great success last season, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in all competitions. He poses a powerful threat. But he also needs a counterpoint to play with a strikeout on the left, and Rodrygo would provide that presence and more.
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