Liverpool are pushing to sign one of the Bundesliga's most talented footballers.placeholder image
Liverpool are pushing to sign one of the Bundesliga's most talented footballers. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool are believed to be plotting a move for a marquee Salah successor - but Man City could try and hijack those plans
Manchester City sent out a real statement of intent when they swept pre-season title favourites Liverpool apart in an emphatic 3-0 victory at the Etihad before the November international break.
In around six months time. It could well be seen as a watershed moment in the season. Pep Guardiola’s side by winning successfully trimmed the gap between themselves and Arsenal to four points, with the Gunners drawing at Sunderland.
The victory also put a real dent in Arne Slot’s hopes of a title defence as the Reds fell eight points behind the summit. The title race promises to have plenty of twists and turns before then, and one of the biggest deciding factors could well be the January transfer window.
Liverpool plot record-breaking move for Michael Olise
Liverpool were the biggest spenders in world football over the summer after splashing out nearly £450m on new talent. It marked a stark contrast between Arne Slot’s first summer in charge where Giorgi Mamardashvili and Federico Chiesa were the only notable arrivals.
The champions decided to spend a great deal on trying to enhance their squad from a position of strength with the club-record arrivals of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak but neither have hit the ground running so far at Anfield.
Similarly, Mohamed Salah, who arguably enjoyed his best season to date last season, has shown signs that his age might be starting to catch up to him slightly. The Egyptian, who has been abandoned by many players on fantasy football, still has a respectable four goals in 11 league matches but only three have come from open play - and he’s struggled at times to influence games in the way fans have come accustomed to.
Salah has 18 months remaining on his contract but presents arguably Slot’s hardest task to replace when the time comes due to the level of consistency he’s shown at Anfield.
Man City should look to hijack Liverpool’s move for Michael Olise
Manchester City have arguably the best goalscorer in world football in their squad in the form of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian, who already holds the record for goals in a Premier League season, has fired in an incredible 14 strikes in 11 matches this term. He’s well on course for his third Golden Boot since moving to England and undoubtedly has ambitions of achieving a hat-trick of Premier League titles.
Haaland is an immensely talented striker with a unique ability when it comes to scoring goals. But it could be argued in recent years that City have become over reliant on the 25-year-old, with many of their other players no longer hitting the heights that other City wingers have managed in terms of goals and assists.
This season, for example, no player other than Haaland has scored more than once in the league. The year before the second highest scorer was shared by Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush with seven while players such as Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Savinho all failed to score more than five.
When City were arguably at their most complete during the 2017/18 centurion season they had the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez, who were all almost guaranteed to get to double figures for goals while also contributing heavily in terms of assists.
Michael Olise has proven throughout his time in the Bundesliga that he’s capable of replicating those figures. He has formed a formidable partnership with Harry Kane while playing at the Allianz Arena and is the calibre of player that could help swing the title pendulum back in City’s favour if signed.
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