As good as Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have been for much of this season, it is painstakingly obvious that Jurgen Klopp needs a natural striker he can trust. Divock Origi has been nothing more than a replacement and clearly has done little to win the affection of his manager, while Daniel Sturridge’s persistent injuries and rumoured moves away must mean that his time as a Liverpool player is coming to a close.
Danny Ings is yet to return from another agonisingly long injury lay-off, but the former Burnley man is an unknown. Liverpool have spent too long relying on unknowns – Sturridge being the most obvious case of all – and must now invest shrewdly once again to reap the rewards of a team that has played some of the best football in Europe this season.
One name has been linked already; RB Leipzig’s top goal scorer, Timo Werner.
A 21-year-old, top flight accustomed German being linked to Klopp-managed Liverpool is no surprise. It may be an easy, reductive rumour, or it could be another sign of Klopp’s willingness to shop around the place he knows best. Werner is a clinical finisher and has proven that in Leipzig’s controversial, but impressive first season in the Bundesliga.
Liverpool have at times lacked the killer touch in the final third. While opponents have used a deep block and aimed to expose a frail defence with direct counters, Klopp’s side have been quietened by a simple, low, organised defence. Some of these poor performances have seen a lack of chances created, others have seen missed chances blamed. Missing chances can happen to any side, but Werner would score a higher percentage of his chances inside the box than any player currently active in the Liverpool squad.
Unless injuries, prolonged periods on the bench or attitude issues step in his way, Werner is on course to become one of the most clinical finishers in Europe. His talent has been evident for several seasons in Germany, but it has been this season as the main man for RB Leipzig which has proven he can begin to realise his lofty potential. With the guidance of Klopp – who has nurtured many youngsters throughout his managerial career – Werner will only get better from here.
Moving from Leipzig to Liverpool is no massive adaptation either. The Bundesliga club, like Klopp’s side, favour an intense, quick transitioning game that favours a player like Werner, who feeds off being able to get central defenders on the turn. The one notable downside to Werner is his lack of presence aerially. Liverpool have suffered from this since the sale of Christian Benteke last summer and are one of the shortest squads in the league with no option to play a direct game in the final third.
Despite his physical similarities to other options in Liverpool’s squad, Werner would be the perfect addition for Liverpool. The board can see it as an investment that will mature into one of the most valuable forwards around and Klopp will finally have a natural poacher in the box.
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