There is a player who is world-class at the moment and who Michael Edwards should bring back to the club after letting him go in 2019.
Has Michael Edwards ever made a mistake in the transfer window? He is merely a fallible human being just like the rest of us.
But his track record would seem to suggest otherwise. The former Liverpool sporting director simply has a knack for bringing great deals over the line.
That’s why FSG have brought him back in a new capacity. Edwards simply makes the right calls and decisions.
Although, if he ever did come close to making a mistake, it was probably back in 2019. That year he left a really talented Liverpool player go, who is reaching world-class levels at the moment.
Why letting Dominic Solanke go was a mistake by Edwards
Liverpool pulled off a major coup when the Reds were able to bring Dominic Solanke to the club on a free transfer from Chelsea.
He was a huge prospect who had scored for fun at academy level and was one of the highest rated young players in the country.
However, despite catching the eye in pre-season, Solanke was never really able to settle at Liverpool. He found it tough fighting for a first team spot, and perhaps the move to Anfield came a bit too soon in his career.
But even though he wasn’t a regular, he still showed in flashes what he could do. In 5 Premier League starts, Solanke managed a goal and an assist for Liverpool, which is a good return considering his limited minutes.
He also scored three goals in five games for the club’s U21 side. Meanwhile, Klopp described him as ‘absolutely wonderful.’
Letting him go after just one full season at Liverpool seemed a little bit premature, and time has proven that.
Why Dominic Solanke could solve Liverpool’s problems and why he is world-class now
This season Liverpool have really struggled putting away their chances in front of goal. In the last few games, the Reds’ ruthlessness has certainly cost them.
The reality is that Liverpool need a prolific striker who can find the back of the net consistently.
Since leaving Liverpool, Solanke has turned himself into exactly that kind of forward. At 26-years-old he is in the prime of his career now and has hit 17 goals in the Premier League this season.
Solanke’s numbers have helped him reach world-class levels. Out of forward in the league who average at least 2 shots per 90 and have played 3000 minutes this season, only Ollie Watkins has a better conversion rate (21.83%) than Solanke (21.25%) as per Wyscout.
Bringing him back to Liverpool in the form that he is in now might just make the most perfect sense for the club.