Having managed to scrape through to the Champions League on the final day of the previous season, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool are now busy trying to make sure that they have all the necessary weapons in their armoury to launch a charge on at least one piece of silverware this season.
The manager has made a couple of decent first team signings but is not finished yet and is constantly linked with a number of players from all over Europe, as he tries to gather as much depth in the squad as possible. One such player Liverpool are reportedly interested in is Hakim Ziyech.
Liverpool linked with Ajax midfielder
According to reports from Moroccan sports newspaper Les Lions de L’Atlas, Liverpool are now interested in bringing in Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech this summer. The Moroccan news outfit’s story was soon taken up by a number of rumour mills around Europe but it was later revealed that Liverpool are yet to make an official approach for the 24-year old. So who is Ziyech and what will he add to the squad at Anfield?
A star in the making
Born and brought up in Dronten, Netherlands, Ziyech started his youth career with Heerenveen, where he was promoted to the senior side in 2012. Just two years later, he moved to Twente, a first tier club in Netherlands and just a year later to Ajax, the Champions of the top flight in the country. In his first year in Amsterdam, Ziyech picked up 12 goals and 20 assists in more than 45 appearances for the side.
A central midfielder by trait, the 24-year old can also play on either wing but is at his best while playing in the hole behind the striker. Known for his ability to churn out key passes, Ziyech is a set-piece specialist, who can score goals from outside the box with ease.
He is strong with hold up play and can win balls in the air while his technical ability allows him to frustrate opponents in possession of the ball. He is a hard worker, full of energy and though he needs to work on his defensive duties, is a player who can walk into Klopp’s squad at the moment.
Chances at Anfield
At just 24, Ziyech has 132 Eredivisie appearances, 15 Europa League appearances and nine international appearances for the national side, and is already an established international. He is a creative player who can make things happen and is a decent addition to the squad at Anfield.
The story claims that the Moroccan international was scouted as a long-term replacement for Philippe Coutinho but Ziyech is a long way away from it. However, he is more than capable of helping Liverpool in their first team and given enough appearances in domestic competitions, he can prove his worth and be a decent acquisition for the Reds.
