Dirk Kuyt has spoken of his admiration for Arnaut Danjuma ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final clash with Villarreal this week, speaking to Voetbal Primeur.
The Dutch international, even in his most fanciful fever dreams, surely could not have imagined just how well his debut season at the Estadio de la Ceramica would go.
12 months ago, Danjuma’s Bournemouth side suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in England’s second tier. Now, he’s gearing up for arguably the most important game of his career with Villarreal travelling to Anfield this week with a place in the Champions League final on the line.
Liverpool’s interest in the free-scoring wideman adds another subplot to an already intriguing fixture, with Goal reporting that many on Merseyside believe that Danjuma – who has a £63 million release clause in his contract – can replace the ageing Sadio Mane on the left-hand side of Jurgen Klopp’s attack.
Liverpool’s new Sadio Mane
“Danjuma is a great player,” says Kuyt, who scored Liverpool’s consolation in the 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in 2007’s final.
“I think Villarreal did a really good job of bringing him in. I think the Liverpool fans have seen him play against Manchester United in the Champions League (in the group-stages).
“He is a technical player who is also very fast. Liverpool have to be very careful with him. Especially in counter attacks, (Villarreal) are very strong in that.”
Liverpool reportedly scouted Danjuma during Villarreal’s 2-1 defeat to Man United back in September, with the former Club Brugge star torturing Diego Dalot during a dazzling display of speed, skill and snake-hipped style.
In total, Danjuma has 16 goals since moving to Spain. Six of those have come on the biggest of stages, including a winner against Bayern Munich and one in the shock 3-0 thumping of Juventus in Turin.
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