Liverpool have a great opportunity to attract players having had a top four finish last season, but are they right to chase another young winger in their pursuit of further glory?
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shown particular interest in highly-rated Demarai Gray since May, as reported by the Sunday Mirror.
As a young England under-21 player there is a lot to admire about Gray, who has been hoping for more match time at Leicester City, says the Daily Star.
Klopp perhaps is looking for players of real potential to improve the squad, as Liverpool will be playing in multiple competitions next season. Gray might not be the finished article, but perhaps Klopp believes he can speed the player’s progression if he does come to the club.
Liverpool have been made 4-1 favourites to sign the player, ahead of Tottenham at 7-1, according to SkyBet.
England v Germany – UEFA Euro U21 Championships Semifinals
Klopp has already brought in Mohamed Salah, and also has Sadio Mane, as forward options who could both play wide.
It’s Salah’s speed that especially excites Klopp, reports SkySports.
Liverpool could also look to play with a front three in some games. Klopp has been trying to reinforce some pace on the right side of attack as well, by chasing after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the Daily Express.
However, an out-and-out left winger is probably something that would give the team better balance and that may be why Gray appeals.
The excitement of Demarai Gray, 20, stems not just from his occasional appearances for Leicester City, but his excellent performances for England’s U21s in the recent European Championships.
It could be stretching the player’s development though a little to see him as an automatic starter in front of the Kop. His nine league starts last season at Leicester City have only been a taster of Premier League action. So Klopp, may be looking at Gray more as an impact sub than as a starter.
Demarai Gray celebrates after scoring the first goal for Leicester
Still, with his 22 sub appearances as well, Gray did score three goals in the last league campaign. Four of Gray’s five appearances in the Champions League were as a substitute, adding up to 155 minutes of play.
Klopp needs players that want to play for the shirt, but if Gray demands higher playing time than he has been getting at Leicester he may feel that Liverpool is not the right club for him.
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