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Klopp’s ‘in love with’ €81m colossus – Liverpool expect to lose long-term servant but eye Serie A star as replacement

Victor Osimhen

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, as a replacement for one of their forwards as Jurgen Klopp faces a rebuild of sorts.

While headlines are currently dominated by Colombian trickster, Luis Diaz, the reality is that Liverpool face the difficult task of deciding what to do with their iconic forwards as Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will all be 30 by the summer.

The Brazilian is already 30 while the others will reach that landmark before the end of the season at which point each attacker will be just one year away from being out of contract at Anfield.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Roberto Firmino of Liverpool FC reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Burnley FC at Anfield on March 10, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

It’s a perilous position for the Reds to find themselves in. 148 Liverpool goals for Salah, 107 for Mane and 94 for Firmino but FSG know they can’t keep them all on expensive long-term contracts.

Liverpool ‘in love’ with Osimhen and view him as an heir to the throne

It must be said that I doubt that Jurgen Klopp is targeting the Nigerian given that he isn’t known for going for tall forwards and prefers quicker, more agile attackers that are able to press and squeeze defenders high up the pitch.

Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that the decision has been made that Osimhen will not leave Napoli in the winter window while he is still open to a summer move and Newcastle along with Liverpool are two sides named as potential destinations.

Victor Osimhen

The report says Firmino is expected to leave in the summer after spending seven years at Anfield and wants to replace him with Osimhen, “a player who, Jürgen Klopp fell in love with.”

Luis Diaz, Raphinha and Fabio Carvalho much better suited to Liverpool

Napoli paid €81.3million to sign Osimhen from Lille and while it’s obvious that he’s a player blessed with talent, I’m confident that most fans would agree that he’s not suited to Liverpool’s style of play.

He’s managed 9 goals and 2 assists for the Naples outfit this term despite averaging just 68 minutes per outing as a calf strain, cheekbone fracture and coronavirus have caused him to have a disjointed campaign.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen was called up to Nigeria’s AFCON squad but the 23-year-old reportedly pulled out of the Super Eagles squad to “allow the injury he sustained during a Serie A game to heal properly.”

Imminent new Liverpool signing, Luis Diaz, is much better suited to Jurgen Klopp’s squad compared to Osimhen and as much as that’s not meant as a slight on the Napoli star, I do rate Diaz more highly.

While watching him in the Champions League for Porto and on YouTube has given many of us a good indication of his abilities, just like we had no idea just how good Diogo Jota was, there is no way to tell how good Diaz might be until he’s had enough time under Klopp.

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