Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
Liverpool’s front-line could have a completely different look next season.
Mohamed Salah is out of contract in less than three months and a new deal is yet to be finalised for the Egyptian.
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There is also interest from Bayern Munich in Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are all expected to depart this summer – as exclusively revealed by Anfield Watch.
If all the rumours surrounding the Reds’ current forward options come into fruition, Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards will have some serious recruitment work to do before the start of next season.
Liverpool may have already found one of their next superstars though, and he’s actually better than Lamine Yamal.
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Liverpool monitoring La Liga wonderkid
A number of high-profile forwards are on the Reds shopping list as the summer transfer window approaches, but the club will also likely bring in some up-and-coming talent too.
One player who fits this criteria is Real Betis’ 19-year-old winger Jesus Rodriguez, who is being monitored by the Reds according to Mail Online.
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The youngster has impressed in La Liga this season and has a release clause of up to £42m, with Chelsea also keen on Rodriguez.
The Spanish U19 international made his La Liga debut in December and has scored and assisted once in 13 league appearances for Betis this campaign.
Jesus Rodriguez vs Lamine Yamal
Although his g+a numbers aren’t Earth shattering, what Rodriguez is doing on the pitch is very impressive and he has become a regular starter for Betis in recent months.
The 19-year-old has even outperformed Lamine Yamal, arguably La Liga’s most talented wonderkid, in one metric.
According to Hudl Statsbomb, Jesus Rodriguez has a higher On-Ball Value than Lamine Yamal in La Liga this season.
Rodriguez’s influence is clear to see in Real Betis’ results too. Betis have won six of the 10 league games the 19-year-old has started in this season.
The winger is an accomplished dribbler and has also shown a willingness to get stuck in whilst the team is defending too, ranking in the 92nd percentile for blocks/90 and the 90th percentile for interceptions/90 among wingers in Europe’s top five leagues this season according to FBRef.
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Rodriguez isn’t a player who will come in and deliver Mo Salah numbers straight away, but he is one of Europe’s most exciting talents in his position and that will no doubt excite Liverpool supporters.