Rayan Cherki – who was wanted by Liverpool earlier in 2022 – embarrassed himself yesterday as Lyon suffered a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.
What’s the story?
Well, it was AS in Spain who revealed that Liverpool are admirers of the 19-year-old sensation.
However, Jürgen Klopp will not have been left impressed by what Cherki did against Arsenal.
The Lyon No.18 stepped up to take a penalty in the shootout, which was scheduled to take place regardless of the score after full-time.
Cherki seemingly did not take the friendly shootout too seriously, as he attempted a panenka.
Embarrassingly for the teenager, he watched his effort float harmlessly into the hands of 20-year-old Arsenal glovesman Karl Hein, who barely had to move as he caught the ball with ease.
Laurent Blanc surely gave him a reminder of the need to be professional and take friendlies seriously back in the dressing room, but ultimately, Cherki can be forgiven, seeing as the fixture was insignificant.
Liverpool should make a bid for Rayan Cherki
In our view, Liverpool should test Lyon’s resolve and make an offer for Cherki in 2023.
At the end of the season, the France Under-21 international will only have 12 months remaining on his contract, so Lyon run the risk of losing their star prospect for nothing in 2024 if they fail to agree fresh terms.
From our point of view, Cherki is exactly the type of player Klopp would love to have – in many ways, he is similar to Harvey Elliott.
The 19-year-old is capable of being part of the forward line, while he can also play at the tip of a midfield three in an attacking midfield role.
Klopp has already developed the likes of Mario Gotze and Trent Alexander-Arnold into world class footballers, and if he gets his hands on Cherki, we believe the French wonderkid will fulfil his immense potential.
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