Liverpool have regained their balance, but their momentum is still lacking. The Reds got the job done against last-place Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday, but not without some sway in the second half.
This is not a team that knows how to finish games calmly, so Arne Slot will need to continue to rethread those skills over the coming weeks and months.
But maintaining that kind of balance requires more than just defensive reinforcements, and Liverpool haven’t quite got it right across their front line this year.
With that in mind, FSG plans to sign a new wide forward in January.
Liverpool eyeing attacking signs
Liverpool opted not to make a direct substitute for Luis Diaz this summer. The Colombian joined Bayern Munich for £65.5 million in August, but his speed and energy on the left wing was sorely missed.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is a player on the radar, but Liverpool did not respond to an investigation in November and he is now close to a move to Manchester City.
However, Liverpool could make a move for the dynamic wide forward, with FSG reportedly scouting for cost-effective winter bargains.
Sources in Spain believe Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi could be on the move this winter, with Liverpool said to have made a low offer of €20m (equivalent to £17m) for the German international.
The Yellow Wall may have felt a little insulted by this, considering he was paid €75m (about £65m) last season. Sporting director Richard Hughes was present at the chess match and it would not be surprising to see Liverpool return with an improved offer in the coming weeks.
Why Adeyemi is perfect for Liverpool
Adeyemi is 23 years old and is in his fourth campaign in Germany with Borussia Dortmund. The versatile attacker, hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as an invaluable counter-attacking weapon, has six goals and three assists in 22 games across all competitions this season.
Although he is yet to reach his prime, he has already shown an aptitude in front of goal to match his natural touch, running up and down the flanks.
In this respect, he shares some attractive qualities with Diaz. Dias scored 17 goals and provided eight assists in all competitions for Liverpool last season, with Slott using his dynamism to fill an occasional centre-forward role. This is something Adeyemi has done throughout his career.
Karim Adeyemi – Career statistics by position | ||
|---|---|---|
position | app | Goal + Assist |
center forward | 131 | 68+35 |
left wing | 59 | 19+15 |
right wing | 50 | 10+7 |
attacking midfield | 20 | 5+4 |
Dates via Transfermarkt | ||
Like Dias, Adeyemi is a quick and agile winger with a keen eye for goal. In fact, he ranked in the top 7% positionally for non-penalty goals per 90 in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, according to FBref, and the data-driven platform rates Diaz as one of the most statistically comparable players.
But it’s not just their sharpness in front of goal that makes them similar. Like many of Liverpool’s stars of yesteryear, Adeyemi is conservative in using his athleticism sparingly.
Given that the left-footed German’s attacking skills are best suited on the right flank, there are arguments that he may arrive at Anfield not only as a new version of Dias, but also as Mohamed Salah’s eventual successor.
Now, as Como scout and analyst Ben Mattinson has pointed out, Adeyemi is starting to establish himself as an “unstoppable” forward, and Adeyemi could be ready to make the jump to the Premier League and become the forward Slot needs to make his next chapter on Merseyside auspicious.
Semenyo upgrade: Liverpool considering signing ‘one of the best LWs in Europe’
Liverpool won’t be too disappointed by Antoine Semenyo’s recent moves if they can secure the signing of this statement instead.
