Premier League giants Liverpool lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona but could Ajax’s Eredivisie star Hakim Ziyech replace the Brazilian at Anfield?
Liverpool’s thrilling run to the final of the Champions League is even more impressive when you consider they saw off Manchester City and Roma without their talismanic playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
After months of speculation, the Brazilian number 10 finally sealed his £145 million dream move to Barcelona in the January transfer window. But Liverpool have performed exceptionally without their most creative talent, packing the midfield with energetic workhorses and putting the attacking impetus on the fab three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Though that does mean Jurgen Klopp should simply avoid looking for players capable of replacing Coutinho in his squad this summer.
In Hakim Ziyech, the Ajax star who Calciomercato claim is a target for Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham, The Reds might have found a talent with the expert vision and devastating natural talent to add some flair and unpredictability again to a hard-working midfield three.
25-year-old Ziyech, who has spent his entire professional career in Holland, is obviously some way behind Coutinho despite a brilliant two seasons with Ajax.
But the Morocco international is a midfielder with immense technical quality, emphasised by a tally of nine goals and 15 Eredivisie assist this season. He is arguably the most impressive player in all of Dutch football right now.
And Liverpool fans won’t need reminding of Klopp’s ability to take players to another level. Firmino, Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andy Robertson and co have all blossomed spectacularly under the German.
If he has the same effect on Ziyech, there’s no telling how far the 25-year-old can go.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
