At the World Cup, a talented player attracted the attention and expressed his desire to join Manchester United, but Liverpool should buy him instead to address Jürgen Klopp’s problem.
It may feel like Liverpool’s offensive options are complete with the arrival of Cody Gakpo. But that may not necessarily be the case. Gakpo’s arrival means there are plenty of options for Jürgen Klopp on the left wing. However, on the right, it’s still just Mohamed Salah who is truly comfortable in the position.
Last season, Diogo Jota played there at times, but he’s looked more comfortable on the left, and wasn’t able to make an impact on the right. Harvey Elliott has stepped in a few times in that position recently but again, he’s mostly been used on the left in attack this season, so the jury is out over his full potential in the role.
Considering Salah is now entering his twilight years, with the Egyptian set to turn the ‘wrong side’ of 30 later this year, sooner or later the ravages of time will catch up with his body, just like it does with everyone else.
And in order to preserve his longevity for the longest time possible, Liverpool must think about ways to minimize that toll in the coming years. One such possible solution is of course to reduce his minutes in the team.
Right now Salah is playing a lot of minutes without rest, and that could potentially accelerate the aging process if the excess game time is taking a toll on his body. There are no signs of that now, but there have been plenty of wingers who have regressed past their 30th birthday.
In order to prevent Salah from being a victim of game overload, Liverpool should consider finding a back-up option for the Egyptian and one such star may have emerged at the World Cup.
Twenty-four-year-old Ritsu Doan was the star of Japan’s impressive run at the tournament in Qatar. He scored against Germany and Spain and ended the tournament with two goals in 218 minutes. A typical right-winger with an explosive nature and the ability to cut in from the right in the same way as Salah, Doan hasn’t just been impressing at the tournament though.
He’s also been a linchpin at Freiburg since arriving at the Bundesliga side this summer. Doan already has nine goal contributions for the team in all competitions, and the third most for his side in the Bundesliga.
He is a player who loves to take players on but is also extremely intelligent tactically speaking, and would be well-suited to a system like Klopp’s, where the attackers are required to defend from the front.
Doan ranks in third place among attackers in the Bundesliga for successful defensive actions per 90 with 8.1 as per Wyscout. He also wins 63.16 per cent of his 7.45 defensive duels per 90, which is the highest amount for attackers who average at least 5.5 defensive duels per 90.
That kind of proclivity to defend would make him a valuable asset. Not only would he be able to provide cover for Salah in attack, but Doan could be brought on towards the dying embers of the game for the Egyptian in order to defend Liverpool’s position. And the Bundesliga’s official website has already labeled him as the ‘Japanese Lionel Messi’, which can only be a good sign.
Ritsu Doan has been in great form. (Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
When it comes to luring him to Anfield, the Japanese international admitted to ESPN earlier this season that he is still dreaming of a top move.
“If I were to say I’m happy, that would mean I’m playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid or Barcelona — that was my dream when I was young,” Doan said. “So the bad thing is that I’m not happy but the good thing is that, because I’m never happy, I want to become better and better all the time.
“It’s a bit strange that I’m still 24 but I’ve already had five clubs but I can honestly say they are all great clubs — Gamba Osaka, Groningen, PSV, Bielefeld, now I’m very happy to play for Freiburg.
“But if everything is going well, I should be playing at a bigger club. That’s why I’m not satisfied.”
With ambitions like that, if a club like Liverpool does come knocking on the door, Freiburg surely won’t stand in his way.
source: www.liverpool.com
