Who to buy if we want a new Firmino.
Hello again. So this time I've done some research what players would fit us if we want to get a direct replacement to take over after our Bobby who's in his 30's by now. Enjoy, and tell me who you like of them or if you think of other options than the ones mentioned here.
Christopher Nkunku.
25 years old. Plays for RB Leipzig.
Nkunku has been alright for a few years but really blossomed up lately. He has been Leipzig's, go to, man this season. In 19 games he got 13 goals and 8 assists. He has showed he's very good setting up team-mates for years already getting 11 assists last year and 16 the year before that.
He has played in many different positions and often as a false 9. His passing and chance creating is one of his best traits. He does his passing in various ways mixing chips with brake through balls and delayed passes. He's an excellent dribbler and is 2 footed which makes him unpredictable. He's not shy to do the pressing bit either that Leipzig does a lot of. More of a goal threath than Bobby.Not the strongest in tackles or best one vs one but there's still room for development in him. Quite expensive already now though.
Jude Bellingham.
Yes you read right. Jude can be Bobbys successor. I know he's a midfielder and can even play as a deep lying midfielder but I've been looking at him and I see him as a great false 9 . I've been doing this blog for a few months now as I want to do quality work and had Jude in mind but last week I read an article where someone else came up with the idea he could be a deep dropping striker/false 9 so unfortunately that sucker wrote before me.
Now I'd prefer to get him as a midfielder but thing is that he got all the traits needed to play Bobbys position and do so better than most. He's such a technical skilled player with such a good vision that I'm convinced he could do it. I dont even see it fully impossible anymore that lfc could buy him but that 100 mil price tag is a big hurdle for fsg.
Florian Wirtz.
18 years old , plays for Leverkusen.
Another midfielder who i haven't seen anyone saying he could play the Bobby role but just like Bellingham he is like made for it. Such a talent that he manages many different roles just as good . In 16 games this season he got 7 goals and 9 assists which is great for such a young player. Pay attention to the 9 assists. He's great creating chances and that's what our 9 needs to do for Mane and Mo.
He got a good vision and skills to be our link between midfield and attacking part of our game. Has this season already been moved up to often play in an attacking duo or just behind an attacker .
Everyone know about Florian already so I don't need to go deeper into how he plays but nobody yet said he could play Bobbys position so wanted to highlight that. Unfortunately his price tag has gone up a lot too and would now just like Bellingham be very expensive to get.
So then to one of my favourites.
Julián Álvarez.
21 year old, Argentinian who plays for River Plate.
There's a journalist who has been talking about this player for quite some time so I have kept an eye on him. He's now 21 and only gotten better and better and looks like a perfect fit for Liverpool.
Julian is often likened to Aguero. He got this typical South American street football mentality and determination. He's just insane and got a hunger for wins like only the best does. He has played out on the wing like a playmaker often setting up his team mates but has now been moved in centrally to play a bit similar role as Bobby .
He both scores a lot and creates chances for his team-mates (17 games this season , 16 goals 6 assists . Just like Bobby he likes to come deep and work between lines and when he gets the ball drag defenders to him to create space for his team-mates. Is very quick in turns and skillful one vs one. Great shot with both feet. Also got this weird capability to shot without backswing, kind of to take the shot in the step and that surprises defenses and keepers.
One of the best managers in the world, Gallardo, has created a monster here and the release clause of 25 million euros ridiculously low. His contract ends in one year and he's gonna move to Europe. Will it be us? Let's hope so.
Jonathan David.
21 years old . Plays for Lille.
By now we all know of Liverpools interest in Jonathan. After the move from Genk to Lille he has kept on scoring so he had no problems moving to another league. In both Genk and Lille he has played in a similar Bobby way of style. In Genk behind 2 strikers and in Lille behind one striker. Likes to go down deep to midfield to link up with the build up.
Is athletic and very fast and shoots really good with both right and left foot. Intelligent in his movements. Knows when to make runs , knows when to slow down tempo, knows when to hold on or to pass.
There are things he must develop though before he can give our Bobby a fight for the spot. He must create more chances and get more assists and he must be better in not losing possession. He isn't as technical as Bobby either. He got some way to go but is certainly one to keep an eye on as we know of Lfc,s interest in him. ( Want to point out that I'm not at all convinced lfc wants their next central attacker to play the same way as Bobby does so David here is definitely in the running)
Adam Hlozek.
19 years old. Plays for Sparta Prag.
I've talked about this dude for some time now but as we are talking about getting a new player to play our false 9 spot I got to mention him again. His goal and assists tally a bit lower than last season but still good to be that young and to be playing in a new position. Yes he plays in a new position now. When i mentioned him last season he was always a left winger but i said i see him more as a central attacker and surprice surprise, that's where he plays now 😉.
He plays the role of Bobby in Sparta. He will need time to learn but I always love looking at him play as he's so skilled on the ball. Also strong in body so the prem isn't a problem physically. He must better his positioning and decision making. He must also get better at pressing but he would come cheap and got very high development ceiling. Can play any position in our attacking line and also in midfield. Got a great shot and good dribbling skills even if he's big.
Amine Gouiri.
21 years old. Plays for Nice.
This shouldn't be a surprice to anyone if they follow transfer talk. Been linked to many teams and been talked about as Bobbys successor. Mostly played more to the left and does so even when Nice uses 2 attackers. Does often due to Nices style drop a bit deeper and often drifts inside.
Is good finding space to take shots himself. Does so with higher numbers than Mbappe and Neymar. Got a great passing variety and does play really well in tight spaces which we could have use of when so many teams redrawn deep against us.
He isnt one that i personally think would be a direct Bobby replacement but so many experts do so thats why he's on this list. Needs to learn to play centrally and to be better in duels without the ball to play for us.
Piotr Zielinski.
27 years old. Plays for Napoli.
There's only one reason I got Piotr here. He's probably the best already finished product as a player that can play Bobbys role and do so just as good as Bobby. Got all you need to play for us but lets be honest ,he's not gonna come to us is he? ......or could he ? Been linked to us for ages but nothing ever happens and i don't think it will unless Bobby would get sold.
A few others that fits well but for different reasons most likely won't be bought.
Musa Barrow who plays for Bologna has in different Liverpool sites been said to be a perfect heir to Bobby but he got some weaknesses that make me say against that statement.
Paolo Dybala would be a like for like replacement but why buy him when we already got better and Dybala is already getting old . Makes no sense.
Joao Felix. Also a good fit and fits us better than he fits Atletico. I'm sure he would be good for us but he won't be bought .
Also searched a lot among Spanish players as they usually got all the traits needed to play for that spot. Dani Olmo came closest to make it but he also misses things I would like to see.
PS! This blog isn't about who i personally want but to point out those who realistically could take over after our Bobby. Personally I think Jota is played in to do so but these players are real options for the spot. Many of the players you have already seen linked to us while some im sure you have not and others have been linked to us but for midfield roles.
Comments
Another great read. It'll be interesting if the team goes this route or someone v expensive; I'd say the former. our scouting system is top class so it will be nice to see who they can get is as Firmino does need to be replaced soon enough. Personally would love Bellingham and David from this list, Nkuku is great too from what I have seen.
Yeah and now when I've written this they will probably go for someone totally different 😄.
Nkunku or David 👌
Christopher nkunku I prefer among the rest dude