Sadio Mané has been a terrific signing so far this season. He has made an immediate impact and has strengthened this Liverpool attack after signing from for the Reds from Southampton in the summer for £34 million. So far this season, the 24 year old Senegalese forward has nine goals and four assists. However, Mané has now left Liverpool to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Whilst the talismanic Phillipe Coutinho‘s return from injury is imminent, the creativity and the sheer blistering pace that Mané provides off the right flank may be a big miss for Liverpool in upcoming fixtures. His ability to stretch opposition back lines and create space for other technical players such as midfielder Adam Lallana and fellow forward Roberto Firmino centrally in the false nine formation can be crucial to many Liverpool attacks.
Even a short term replacement or loan may make a big difference as Liverpool chase Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table in the second half of the season. His departure may lead to Klopp looking at alternatives to fill this hole in the Reds attack.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Manager Jürgen Klopp was quick to dismiss these rumours last week: ‘I don’t usually say anything about transfer rumours but I can make an exception. Nonsense.’ However, continued reports from outlets such as the Daily Star refer to a six man winger list in which Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain appears.
There is no doubting that he has the potential to come in and make a positive impact. The 23 year old has the pace that Mané would crucially provide, and could develop further under Klopp’s guidance.
The Englishman has six goals and six assists in all competitions so far, but has filled to nail down a consistent starting spot at Arsenal. If the rumours are true, this could be a very successful signing with Premier League experience for Liverpool.
Emil Forsberg
RB Leipzig have been the story in the Bundesliga this season, and currently sit second in the standings behind Carlo Ancelotti‘s Bayern Munich. One of the key Leipzig players this season has been Swedish winger Emil Forsberg. The 25 year old has five goals and nine assists so far this season.
He may not have the same pace as Mané, but he is of a similar mould to that of Adam Lallana. His creativity and work rate of the right side in Liverpool’s attack could still have a considerable impact. This would also mean that players such as Lallana could stay deep in the midfield to aid the front three, while Forsberg slots in on the right side to the Liverpool attack.
Quincy Promes
Links to Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes have continued in the press. The 24 year old Dutchman brings a similar pace and skill to game as Mané does, and therefore may be another potential option for Klopp to fill that hole in the lineup. So far this season, Promes has clocked up six goals and six assists. There may be concerns, however, about the time it may take for him to adapt to possible Premier League action after playing in the Russian League.
Liverpool want to find someone who can make an immediate impact with Sadio Mané at AFCON. Promes could possibly be a longer work in progress, but he has a reputation in Russian football for being a strong winger.
The Last Word
Rumours continue to circle for Liverpool with the January Transfer Window in its early stages. There have also been other links to the likes of Jesé Rodrgiguez, Julian Brandt, Iñaki Williams and Christian Pulisic. Of course many of these links are unclear, but what is clear is that Klopp should consider adding further depth to a Liverpool side ever improving.
Reports state that the German has been given £40 million by Reds owners FSG to spend in January, and Klopp could use this to his advantage by signing a forward to fill the void left by Mané as he represents Senegal in Africa’s greatest footballing competition in the early months of 2017.
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