Having failed to take more than a point from their first Premier League game, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool failed to give their fans something to cheer about the start of the League campaign. The Reds have not been able to land their top transfer targets this window and they were pushed further into trouble after their star playmaker Philippe Coutinho decided to hand in a transfer request.
The Reds are still determined and maintain that he is not for sale, but they are already scouting for players who can replace the Brazilian if he leaves for Barcelona. One such player Klopp is determined to land is Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.
Transfer story:
According to reports from several news outfits, Liverpool are now ready to make a move for Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne to replace Coutinho this summer. The Daily Mirror claims that Klopp has monitored the player since his time in Germany and is convinced he is the right man for his squad this season.
Insigne is expected to cost £60m, which should not be a problem as they are sure to bank enormous amounts from the sale of the Brazilian. So is Insigne a decent option for Liverpool?
Insigne and his numbers:
A product of the Napoli youth academy, Insigne moved to the senior side in 2009 but was sold to Foggia after just a solitary appearance in the top flight in Italy. However, after just a year at Foggia, he was brought back by Napoli, who realized his potential.
He spent a year on loan at Pescara but after he moved back to Naples, he cemented a place in the starting XI, making some important contributions every other week, till date. He has 207 Serie A appearances, 19 Europa League appearances and 14 Champions League appearances to go with the 16 caps for the Italian national side and is one of the most exciting attackers in Europe at the moment.
A left-winger by trait, Insigne is a versatile player who can play as a centre forward or as an attacking midfielder and is a player who can replace the creativity Coutinho brings to the squad at Anfield. He is an excellent dribbler with a keen eye for goal. He can find the back of the net from different angles and ranges while his strength in hold up play is tailor made for the Premier League.
Can he replace Coutinho?
The real issue for Insigne to move to England will be his lack of aerial ability but that has not stopped Coutinho from making an impact at Anfield and should not stop Insigne either.
At just 26, he can still become better and his form in the previous season shows that he is hitting his peak. Liverpool need a player who can walk into the first team and the Italian star is a perfect fit. His versatility will add another dimension to Liverpool’s attack so is he the right man for the Anfield outfit?
