It’s clear that Liverpool boss Arne Slot wants to strengthen the attacking options in his squad.
After years of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah up front, the Reds’ attacking lineup has changed in recent years. Diaz came in for Mane on the left hand side, while Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have both struggled to consistently perform after being brought in to replace Firmino.
Now the third of that trio, Salah, looks like he could be leaving the club, with Liverpool looking at a number of options to replace him in the side should his contract not be renewed.
Eintract Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield, while teen prodigy Ben Doak is doing all he can at Middlesborough and Scotland to convince Slot he deserves a chance in the first team next season.
Liverpool are also looking at attacking midfield options, and have been linked with an opportunistic move for Lyon’s Rayan Cherki following their provisional relegation from Ligue 1.
However, the Reds have also been linked with one player who could provide both a replacement for Salah and an upgrade in attacking midfield.
Liverpool are looking at Kudus
Mohammed Kudus is a player Liverpool are interested in signing, according to Sky Sports.
“Mohammed Kudus wants to leave West Ham United where he does not think he will reach the level he hopes for and is therefore looking for an exit,” Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavoleiri says.
“Among the clubs aware of his situation, Liverpool and Arsenal are keeping a close eye on the Ghanaian’s profile.”
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Kudus has an £85m release clause in his contract, and West Ham aren’t yet willing to entertain any bids below this.
The Hammers are no strangers to driving a hard bargain, having convinced Arsenal to sign Declan Rice for over £100m in recent years.
However, the club has spent an unsustainable amount on transfers in recent windows, and are struggling in the Premier League under Julien Lopetegui.
Things have not been going to plan for Kudus, as a recent red card led to a five-match ban after he lashed out at Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven in October, meaning he could try to force a move if things don’t improve over the course of the season.
Where would Kudus fit at Liverpool?
Throughout his career, Kudus has been used in a number of positions across the final third of the pitch.
At Ajax under Erik ten Hag, he was often utilised in a deeper midfield role and tasked with getting on the ball and breaking lines, but also played further forward and on the right wing as well.
Ten Hag also experimented with using Kudus up front on occasion, a position he is used to from earlier in his career at FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga.
Since moving to the Premier League and West Ham, Kudus has been used on either flank and has impressed with his strength and ability to dribble long distances with the ball.
It’s easy to see him filling in at Liverpool in any of these positions, but his versatility could also be a curse for him in the long-run, as it seems like he is yet to completely nail down his best role in any side.
That’s where Slot could come in. The Liverpool boss has shown in his sort time at the club that improving players and finding their best position is one of his strengths, as seen in Ryan Gravenberch’s move to a deeper role and the form of Luis Diaz this season.
Kudus is capable of magical moments, and his stats for West Ham this season show a player who is performing relatively well despite being in one of the least-inspiring teams in the Premier League.
According to Fotmob, Kudus has the highest expected goals per 90 minutes for West Ham, with 0.38. He also has the most successful dribbles per 90 (3.8) and shots on target per 90 (1.5).
This points towards a player who is constantly involved in the play, but lacks consistency – something Slot could fix on the training pitch if he is to join.
