Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio is reportedly on the shortlist of three major European clubs, including Liverpool.
The Spanish international has failed to get back to the top of his game since the serious knee injury he suffered in the 2019 pre-season game against Arsenal. He has not been a regular starter under new manager Carlo Ancelotti this season and seems unhappy with his lack of game time.
However, the 25-year-old attacker made the most of the rare start on Wednesday, scoring his first-ever hat-trick for Real Madrid in their 6-1 rout of Mallorca in La Liga.
According to Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Liverpool ‘have always’ been interested in signing Marco Asensio, who has a contract until 2023 at Santiago Bernabeu. The report adds the Reds manager Jürgen Klopp is eyeing a move for the Real Madrid star as he plots how to rebuild his squad in 2022.
After failing to win a trophy last season, Klopp surprisingly chose not to strengthen his Liverpool squad much over the summer. The club succeeded in making just one addition to the squad, with central defender Ibrahima Konate joining from RB Leipzig.
However, Klopp has seemingly started planning for the next year, perhaps after seeing the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea spend heavily in the recent past transfer window.
Marco Asensio to Liverpool – A good option for Klopp?
The front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino have played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success under Klopp in recent years. There are only a handful of clubs in Europe to have not faced the wrath of the Reds fearsome trio, who on their day have ripped apart defences with pace, power and creativity.
However, Firmino’s powers have been on the wane for the last 12-18 months while Mane and Salah are approaching their 30s. The summer of 2022 could be the right time for Klopp to freshen up his attacking options, particularly with the lack of depth in his squad to challenge for all trophy fronts.
The signing of Diogo Jota from Wolves last summer has proven to be a good one, but Liverpool do need more quality and depth to compete with cash-rich Chelsea and the Manchester clubs. To that end, Marco Asensio could provide Klopp with some real quality and competition for places within the squad.
Having arrived as a teenager from RCD Mallorca back in 2014, Asensio has racked up 40 goals and 22 assists in 199 appearances for Real Madrid across all formats. The Spanish international can play in multiple positions across the midfield and the attack, and such versatility could only be considered a boon for Klopp at Anfield.
In terms of his attributes, Asensio is a smart, creative and diligent footballer with excellent technique on the ball and a great engine. He possesses the vision to unlock the tightest of defences and can also make impressive runs behind the defenders. The Spaniard also can find the back of the net with powerful shots from outside the box, something that adds to his repertoire of skills.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old creative midfielder is a player who has won everything on offer with Real Madrid and Liverpool can afford to look at him as someone whose best years still lie ahead of him. Thus, Asensio could be a top addition option for Liverpool and Klopp should do everything within his powers to sign him in 2022.