Jeremy Doku must pass two tests before transfer path to Liverpool opens

Jeremy Doku must pass two tests before transfer path to Liverpool opens

Liverpool Echo Sports·2021-08-16 18:00

Jeremy Doku has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool once again, with viewers of Euro 2020 likely to be enthusiastic about the rumour once reminiscing about his impressive quarter-final performance for Belgium against Italy. The tricky forward was the only player under the age of 24 to be named in Roberto Martinez's squad for the tournament which offers an insight into his quality, but there are reasons as to why the Reds are likely to steer clear of his signature this summer.Still just 19 years-old, Doku has undeniable quality and potential to fulfil, and he's very much in the mould of a typical Jurgen Klopp attacker given his direct playing style, speed, versatility and unpredictability.A move to Anfield in the future certainly cannot be ruled out, but based on how the Anfield recruitment department tend to operate, a switch seems unlikely to materialise until the teenager begins to prove his ability to deliver with valuable goals and assists.Sign up to our free LFC newsletterGet all the latest Liverpool breaking news, team news, transfer rumours, injury updates plus analysis of what's next for the Reds.You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis straight to your inbox every day with our FREE email newsletter.Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds!Each of the major forwards signed since Klopp began his tenure on Merseyside had showcased a proven ability to offer end-product at their previous clubs once considering the notable numbers posted by the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota.Klopp has exhibited a preference to retrain forward players who offer little when it comes to output, with Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gini Wijnaldum occupying deeper midfield roles under the German as opposed to those fielded closer to goal. The players who occupy the crucial attacking slots for Klopp - at least based on the signings he's made over the years - simply have to deliver at the business end of the field on a regular basis.Doku possesses a similar skill set to that of Mane and Salah, and he's equally difficult to defend against in certain moments.But from the 4,300 league minutes he's played for Anderlecht and Rennes since the age of 16, he's scored only seven goals while registering 10 assists.The Belgian international made 26 starts in Ligue 1 last season but managed to find the net just twice alongside three assists, and Liverpool's recruitment approach over the years suggests that is unlikely to be enough to be deserving of a move just yet.The obsession with proven scoring at Anfield allows the club to minimise the risks associated with paying large fees for attacking players such as Doku, as those goal contributions act as evidence for those running the scouting department.*Who was your Liverpool MOTM against Norwich? Take our quick poll.Salah - for example - was a very low-risk signing despite his failed period at Chelsea, and that was because in his previous two seasons at AS Roma, he'd scored 29 times from a wide starting position while also registering 17 assists.Given that Doku made the switch from Belgium to France as recently as last year for around £23m, it is reasonable to suggest that Liverpool would have to shell out at least £30m for his services this summer.The offensive prospect might be worth such an amount, but the past transfer activity of the Reds indicates that they are unlikely to take the risk until further proof of his output has been provided.Doku could sport the famous Red jersey at some stage of his career but ultimately, that probably won't happen until the dangerous qualities attached to his game begin to bear fruit in the form of goals and assists.Read MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles

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