Liverpool should get Maddison instead of Aouar

If Liverpool are going to sign a creative no.8, they should ignore Houssem Aouar’s pleas to be bought and go and buy James Maddison.

The Reds are in a battle with Arsenal to sign Houssem Aouar from Lyon, who is reportedly available for around €25million (£21.4m).

It’s safe to say that I’m not his biggest fan and it’s not to say the Frenchman isn’t a good player – I just don’t think he’s what Liverpool need anymore.

Lyon's French midfielder Houssem Aouar reacts after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais and Girondins de Bordeaux on November 3, 2018, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central eastern France. — Lyon’s French midfielder Houssem Aouar reacts after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais and Girondins de Bordeaux on November 3, 2018, at the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central eastern France. (Photo by ALEX MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

When the Anfield outfit was crying out for a Philippe Coutinho replacement, he would have been a decent recruit but now, with Liverpool’s midfield more functional, he wouldn’t excel.

That said, if Liverpool are going to sign a creative midfielder then they should go out and sign James Maddison from Leicester City.

He’ll cost a fair bit, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £50million, and like any good Foxes player, he still has several years on his contract.

His terms at the King Power Stadium only expire in 2024 which means that Leicester have no pressure to sell and would be able to fleece Liverpool for the 24-year-old.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 23: James Maddison of Leicester City walks from the field after being substituted during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Leicester, England. — LEICESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 23: James Maddison of Leicester City walks from the field after being substituted during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur at The King Power Stadium on May 23, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Maddison isn’t just a creative midfielder though and is capable of playing that attacking no.8 role that we saw Coutinho love in late 2017.

His vision, passing and awareness coupled with the movement and finishing of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota would wreak havoc in the Premier League.

Another reason I would love to see Maddison at the club is for his wicked set pieces although it would detract from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s chances to take them.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: James Maddison of Leicester City warms up prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 18, 2021 in London, England. — LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 18: James Maddison of Leicester City warms up prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on May 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Glyn Kirk – Pool/Getty Images)

Despite having an injury blighted injury season that saw him miss 95 days through injury, he scored 11 goals and assist 10.

Although Jurgen Klopp would need to reengineer his team’s style of play to accommodate Maddison, I do miss having a player capable of 20 goals/assists from central midfield.