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‘Might not play’: Ex-England man says ‘brilliant’ player should not join Liverpool

Dimitar Berbatov , Darren Bent and Robbie Keane - Tottenham Hotspur (Reuters)
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LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MARCH 07: Kai Havertz of Leverkusen celebrates his teams first goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt at BayArena on March 7, 2020 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images)
Photo by Jörg Schüler/Getty Images

Kai Havertz is an ‘absolutely brilliant’ prospect but he should snub a potential move to Premier League leaders Liverpool, at least according to ex-England striker Darren Bent on talkSPORT (20 May, 8.30am).

The so-called ‘new Michael Ballack’ certainly produced a performance befitting of a German great, as Bayer Leverkusen got their Bundesliga campaign back up and running away at Werder Bremen on Monday night.

All eyes were on Havertz before the game and a 20-year-old whizz kid certainly delivered in front of the watching world.

Two clinical first-half headers set Leverkusen on their way to a convincing 4-1 win, while taking the play-maker’s individual tally to 12 for the season. Liverpool have been watching Havertz strut his stuff in recent months, according to Sky Sports, and, with more match-winning displays like this, the German international will be packing his bags sooner rather than later.

But Bent fears that a move to Anfield would see Havertz run the risk of gathering dust on the bench.

“Yeah he is,” the one-time Tottenham favourite said when asked if he felt Havertz was worthy of the hype. “He looked brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

BREMEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Kai Havertz (C) of Leverkusen scores the opening goal during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Wohninvest Weserstadion on May 18, 2020 in Bremen, Germany. The Bundesliga and Second Bundesliga is the first professional league to resume the season after the nationwide lockdown due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. All matches until the end of the season will be played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

“They’ve got some great youngsters in that division. He’s been linked to Liverpool (but) I can see him more going towards Bayern Munich – the same league, same country and obviously they are top of the Bundesliga.

“He might go to Liverpool but, the way Liverpool play with (Roberto) Firmino down the middle, he might not play.”

With Leverkusen reluctant to reduce their staggering £100 million price-tag for one of the world’s most coveted prospects, the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and even Bayern may have to wait until next summer before stepping up their pursuit of what would be a club-record deal.

After all, mega-money transfers like this are set to be few and far between over the next few months.

Bayer Leverkusen's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) celebrates with teammate French forward Moussa Diaby (C) and  Argentine forward Lucas Alario after scoring a goal  during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg football match between FC Porto and Bayer Leverkusen at the Dragao stadium in Porto on February 27, 2020. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images