Liverpool have reportedly lined up Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos as an option to bolster their attack this season.
The Reds have enjoyed a flying start to the new Premier League campaign, winning their first two games with two clean sheets to boot. The return of Virgil van Dijk after a long injury layoff has helped strengthen their backline, while the quartet of Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino clicking up front again has been a pleasant sight for the Kopites.
Despite showing their utter dominance in the first two games and scoring five goals, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp wants to add an attacker to his squad to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title.
According to the Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Liverpool are looking at three players—Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos, Wolves winger Pedro Neto and PSV Eindhoven teenage prodigy Noni Madueke. Of the three, Ocampos appears to be the preferred option for the Reds.
The Argentinean attacker, 27, joined Sevilla from Marseille in the summer of 2019 and contributed with 17 goals and five assists to help the La Liga club finish fourth in the standings and win the Europa League. His output dipped last season although he still managed eight goals and four assists in 46 appearances.
Lucas Ocampos to Liverpool—A smart option for Jürgen Klopp?
In Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, the Reds have one of the most deadly attacking trios in Europe. The acquisition of Diogo Jota from Wolves has further reinforced the Merseysiders’ attack, allowing Jürgen Klopp to now rotate and rest as per the situation.
However, if Liverpool want to reclaim the Premier League title that they lost to Manchester City last season and realistically compete in the Champions League, Klopp must prioritise signing an attacking player before the end of the month. In that regard, Lucas Ocampos would fit the bill perfectly at Anfield.
Predominantly a winger, Lucas Ocampos can play anywhere across the front-line and contribute to his team’s cause. The 27-year-old is a tricky customer to come up against with pace to burn and is a decent dribbler of the ball.
The Argentinean international’s ability to play quick one-twos even in tight spaces allows him to thrive in the final third. Ocampos’ versatility to operate in midfield and fulfil his fair share of defensive duties should make him an ideal fit in Jürgen Klopp’s system at Liverpool.
The former Marseille attacker’s knack of running at defenders as well as providing dangerous crosses into the box could potentially see the likes of Mane and Salah thrive. Undoubtedly, the 27-year-old would give another dimension to the Reds attack, whilst improving Klopp’s options in the squad.
However, as per the report, signing the Sevilla star is seemingly impossible as the Argentinean international will not arrive at Liverpool as a back up to Mane and Salah. Yet, Klopp must try his best to convince Ocampos to join his forces at Anfield, as the Reds aim to throw an assault on the Premier League title.
