“That Liverpool front three, they’re horribly good.”
Midway through the first half of Liverpool’s stunning 3-1 demolition of Manchester City at Anfield, Gary Neville uttered those words. Their work-rate, their never-ending pressing, their finishing, their passing, their build-up play, their vision, their interplay, their bottle, their stamina, their defensive work – yes, everything about them is just great. However, their greatest quality for me is uniqueness. The fact that very few individual players share the same attributes that Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane put on show every single week make them phenomenal assets to Liverpool, and dangerous predators too whichever club happens to be the hapless victims of their brilliance on any given week.
Countless observers have voiced their concerns that if Liverpool were to lose Salah, Firmino or Mane for any extended period due to injury, they would be in massive trouble. And in order to minimise the chance of any of them picking up injuries – as well as to bring stronger depth in the attacking areas, thus maximising the chances of success on multiple fronts – the three need the occasional rest. I believe that another attacking option in the mould of those three would be a marvellous boost for Liverpool. Imagine having a fourth member of the front three to choose from, meaning that each game, one of them gets some time off. It would also add a threatening bench option for the odd occasion that the regular trio have an off day.
I have come up with eight players that I would consider to be good options for Liverpool to supplement the front three and Origi (I’m assuming Shaqiri will leave fairly soon). These are all quite different options, but I have tried to collect players who would bring something to the Liverpool attack and would provide both adequate cover while also being good enough to play quite regularly alongside two interchangeable other members of the current front three. I consider them all to be realistic signings, too.
Alexandre Lacazette
Age: 28 Club: Arsenal
Arsenal’s French striker is a superb finisher with the ability to score from anywhere. His excellent link-up play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be replicated with Salah and Mane, if he were to provide an alternative to Firmino. His work-rate and pressing from the front is quite similar to Firmino’s, though he certainly offers more goals than the Brazilian, scoring 38 in his first 97 games for Arsenal, whereas Firmino has 69 in 210 for Liverpool. Lacazette has made a slow start to 2019/20, only scoring twice so far, though this included a goal at home to Tottenham; the former Lyon man has a penchant for goals in big games, scoring against Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool themselves last season, as well as bagging key goals in the Europa League quarter and semi-finals.
Pros:
- His Arsenal future appears very uncertain, and if the Gunners once again miss out on Champions League football, he could be available for a lower price.
- He would stylistically suit Liverpool’s number nine role because of his work-rate and pressing, while also potentially adding more goals than Firmino currently does.
Cons:
- At 28, he is in the absolute prime of his career and he may struggle to be too tempted by the idea of not being a guaranteed starter every single week.
- Some options on this list are versatile players who could play across the front three. Lacazette would only be able to fill one of those positions – the central striking berth.
Heung-Min Son
Age: 26 Club: Tottenham Hotspur
A player who always seems to play well against Liverpool, Son is a tremendous asset for Tottenham and possesses all the attributes to play for the Reds. The Korean’s unbelievable work-rate and willingness to chase the ball make him one of the hardest-working players in the Premier League. Add that to an impressive goal return – 75 goals and 40 assists in 203 games for Spurs – and he is a very desirable player for any team. I admire his versatility too – he has played from the left for Spurs as well as through the middle, either on his own, or next to Harry Kane. A quite fabulous dribbler and distance shooter, Son is capable of scoring any type of goal – from his gorgeous solo run against Chelsea last season to his brace against Man City in the Champions League, setting a curving shot out into the top corner of the goal. Magnificent player who could well be rocked by Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.
Pros:
- His ability to play in two, or even three, of the positions across the front line is very rare and would be extremely useful in terms of team selection – he could play anywhere in any combination of the front three.
- He certainly fits the profile of Liverpool’s front three stylistically, with excellent pressing and outstanding work-rate.
Cons:
- His goal record doesn’t quite stand up to that of Salah or Mane and this is when he is one of Spurs’ two main men.
- Daniel Levy knows how to drive a hard bargain, and even if Tottenham were to miss out on the Champions League, Son would still cost a hell of a lot.
Takumi Minamino
Age: 24 Club: Red Bull Salzburg
The 24-year-old Takumi Minamino was a relative unknown to Liverpool fans until September, when he turned up and put in one of the best opposition performances Anfield has seen in many a year. The Japanese international was simply stunning as he dragged his Salzburg side from 3-0 down to level at 3-3, eventually losing 4-3. Minamino scored Salzburg’s second goal with a powerful volley and set up their third with a pinpoint low cross. Though he was on the losing side in the end, he was easily man of the match, with a mazy dribble in the first half another of his highlights. This is a player who has pace, terrific energy and a very mature head, nearly always making the right decision. He has a seriously impressive goal contribution record too: 61 goals and 42 assists in 195 games for Salzburg. Being only 24, he is at an age where his next move is key – to me he looks born to play in the Premier League.
Pros:
- Minamino’s versatility is exceptional. He can play on the right, as he did at Anfield, is most comfortable in a central position – either as a ten or a false nine – and has even played on the left.
- He has all the necessary attributes – pace, strength, work-rate, goals, dribbling, mentality and wonderful agility – he can always find a way out of tight spaces. He also is very two-footed, something which cannot be said of many players in this Liverpool team.
Cons:
- A player who is most comfortable playing as a ten, which is not a position that Klopp’s system consumately
- Given that he has never played outside of Japan or Austria, he is lacking experience in a top league, though has recently played in the Champions League, of course.
Emiliano Buendía
Age: 22 Club: Norwich City
Teemu Pukki, Mario Vrancic and Moritz Leitner got the plaudits of Norwich’s promotion campaign last season, but I was so impressed with Emiliano Buendía and to me, he was their unsung hero as they secured a return to the Premier League. While he has made a bit of a slow start to life in the top flight after moving slightly deeper following Norwich’s horrendous injury troubles, he still tops the stats for chances created, touches, dribbles, tackles and assists so far in 2019/20 for the Canaries. Buendía is primarily a right winger, though is perfectly comfortable playing central and often drifts in to operate in more central areas. He is agile and this helps him get out of trouble under pressure, as he isn’t the strongest. On the ball he is an absolutely stunning passer and possesses some of the best vision you’ll ever see. The Argentine got eight goals last season but more noticeably registered 17 assists, establishing himself as a chief creative fulcrum in Daniel Farke’s team. A joy of a player to watch, Buendía would improve any squad.
Pros:
- A delightful player to watch who would bring a brilliant range of passing and extra versatility to the front three.
- He is a really hard-working player who will gladly chase back all day and put in a huge defensive shift – a key element of Klopp’s teams.
Cons:
- He probably doesn’t get enough goals at the minute to be an upgrade on Shaqiri, though this could change in a better team.
- His lack of body strength would be an issue, he is often shaken off the ball and relies on his ball control and movement to get away from challenges.
Jarrod Bowen
Age: 22 Club: Hull City
Jarrod Bowen is quite clearly the best player in the Championship. With a jaw-dropping 31 goals in his last 41 games for Hull, the winger is posting absolutely astonishing numbers and is clearly too good for the Championship. His finishing ability is unquestionable and he is particularly calm in one-on-one situations. It goes unnoticed how selfless Bowen is, often setting team-mates up and creating chances with his good passing range and clever vision. Bowen has very good ability with both feet and is good at finding a way out of tight spaces. His link-up play with Kamil Grosicki is similar to that that Salah, Firmino and Mane enjoy and he would be a free-scoring addition to Liverpool’s attacking options. I have no doubt that he could make the step up to Premier League level, but perhaps Liverpool level is a different question altogether.
Pros:
- An absolutely superb goal record for Hull, if he can continue to improve this as he matures then he will be a fantastic goalscorer from wide.
- Hull’s mid-table struggles in the Championship and their poor finances mean that we could pinch another bargain from the Yorkshire side.
Cons:
- He doesn’t quite possess the searing pace that Salah and Mane do, which is very important for Liverpool’s wide players.
- With extremely little Premier League experience, it could be a gamble expecting him to come into a team that are playing at such a high-level.
Alfredo Morelos
Age: 23 Club: Rangers
Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos was the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season and has taken his game to a new level for Rangers in 2019/20. A natural goalscorer, he has improved every facet of his game this season, from his work-rate, decision making, shooting, playmaking, defending from the front, pressing to his hold-up play. There was previously a question over his record in big games, however he has answered that this season, with two goals and an assist in the league cup semi-final win over Hearts, as well as huge goals in the Europa League against Porto and Feyenoord. He is a brilliant finisher and it is this ability that means he would score goals at whatever level he is playing at – don’t let the perception of the Scottish Premiership colour your judgement of him as a player – it’s not long ago that Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson were lining up for Celtic and Dundee United. It’s not just his goals though – his all-round game is based on work, strength and passion – three essential qualities to a member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad. Just listen to Morelos’ record this season: 22 goals and 7 assists in 26 appearances. That’s monstrous.
Pros:
- Morelos’ goal record is absolutely breathtaking and is the kind of player who would score goals in any team and against any opposition.
- He is remarkably strong on the ball and this is a key asset to any Liverpool player, while he is also a very good presser and will happily go after defenders all day.
Cons:
- A slight lack of pace means that he often needs the ball played into feet and occasionally struggles against quicker defenders.
- His disciplinary record in 2018/19 was appalling, though this has improved beyond recognition in 2019/20, with just four yellows and no reds so far this season.
Leandro Trossard
Age: 24 Club: Brighton & Hove Albion
He has gone under the radar a little, but Leandro Trossard has been possibly the most impressive new arrival to the Premier League this season. The Belgian winger has mainly played on the left wing since arriving at Brighton from Genk for £18m. His first goal for Graham Potter’s team came on debut in a 1-1 draw with West Ham, a brilliant driven strike from outside the box late on in a 1-1 draw, after earlier having a goal wrongly disallowed by VAR. He also scored a nice toe-poke in the recent win over Norwich and has two goals and an assist in six appearances. So far in his embryonic Premier League career he has demonstrated a pinpoint set-piece accuracy as well as a real confidence and quality on the ball. He is extremely agile and often finds his way out of tight spaces due to his balance and ability with both feet. An exciting player who has already drawn comparisons to his fellow Belgian left winger Eden Hazard, some Brighton fans have already resigned themselves to losing Trossard at the end of the season, such is his ability.
Pros:
- At only 24, he is some years away from his prime, which gives him plenty of room to develop, while also meaning he would be more likely to be accepting of a rotation-style role.
- His gliding, smooth way of playing is something a little different. With such a good set-piece as well, he provides various new attributes.
Cons:
- Trossard is not particularly strong and can get shaken off the ball a little easily at times, which is something he would need to improve on.
- He doesn’t possess the pace that Salah and Mane do, and this may mean that Liverpool would have to slightly adapt their attacking tempo with Trossard in the team.
Harry Wilson
Age: 22 Club: Bournemouth (on loan from Liverpool)
And then of course, we have the player that is already owned by Liverpool. Harry Wilson has been on loan for the last three seasons – at Hull City, Derby County and Bournemouth. He has proven himself to be a really good goalscorer, with 29 goals for those three clubs in 76 appearances. Many of those 29 goals have been strikes from outside the box, as the Welshman has proven time and time again what a superb long-distance shooter he is. He is one of the best strikers of the ball I’ve seen, particularly from free-kicks. Distance shooting is one of very few things that is missing from the current front three, so he would add that. He is a hard worker and is versatile too – at Hull he played on the left wing, he started on the right for Derby before moving to an attacking midfield role, and now plays on the right for Bournemouth. The main criticisms of him revolve around his build-up play – does he contribute enough aside from goals? He is also a bit lightweight and can get easily shrugged off the ball, whereas Salah and Mane’s body strength is very good.
Pros:
- As he is a current Liverpool player, he is the only player on this list that would cost nothing, and is also the youngest of the eight.
- He is versatile and could play on the right or the left, or in an attacking midfield role, meaning that he could come in for Salah or Mane, and give an extra option in midfield.
Cons:
- It has been levelled at the Welshman that he drifts out of games and doesn’t contribute enough to build-up play, which is a fair comment – his assists are nowhere near as frequent as his goals.
- His lack of pace and strength mean that he is missing two key attributes of being a member of Liverpool’s front three.
Two other players I considered were Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and West Ham’s Felipe Anderson. There’s no doubt that Sancho’s pace, goals and ability would make him a success at Liverpool, while Anderson’s remarkable work-rate and defensive duties, combined with his versatility in the front line, mean that he has all the tools to succeed at a top club like Liverpool. However, I feel that these are players who would expect to be starting every single week, particularly when you consider that Anderson was linked with Real Madrid in the summer and that Sancho is a 19-year-old who starts nearly every game for England after leaving Manchester City in search of a starting role a few years ago.
What do you think to my eight? Which of those players would you be interested in seeing don the red shirt in the future?
Daniel (@daykind19)
Daniel Daykin
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Superb article. Sancho would be in the selection for me without a doubt.