There’s a player who Michael Edwards once let go but who could now be Liverpool’s perfect signing under Arne Slot.
There’s one thing Liverpool have missed all season – a finishing edge in front of goal. It doesn’t matter how many chances the Reds have created, they simply haven’t been able to score goals at the rate with which they should have.
Even though Liverpool have created the highest volume of expected goals in the Premier League this season (as per FBref), they’ve only scored the fourth highest goals in the league.
On paper, Klopp’s side should be the most prolific team in the league. However, they are not. And that needs to change under Arne Slot.
Why Dominic Solanke is the perfect fit for Arne Slot
In order to solve Liverpool’s problem, Slot needs to have a clinical number nine. Someone who can be really productive in front of goal.
That could lead him to Dominic Solanke. The striker was on the books at Liverpool a few years ago, before Michael Edwards sold him to Bournemouth.
At the time, Liverpool’s new sporting director, Richard Hughes, was in charge of Bournemouth, and the decision to sign Solanke has paid dividends.
The fruits of which can be felt this season. So far Solanke has scored 19 goals in the Premier League this season. That’s more than any Liverpool player this season, with Mohamed Salah’s the club’s top-scorer with 18 goals.
What has Jurgen Klopp said about Solanke?
Solanke is clearly the perfect fit. He’s got a proven track record of scoring goals and he’s very much suited to playing as a traditional number nine – which is exactly what Arne Slot looks for in his attackers.
At 26-years-old, he is still relatively young and while things did not work out for him at Liverpool a few years ago, it doesn’t mean that he is a bad player. He only got five starts at Anfield the last time around and still managed a goal and an assist.
Even Jurgen Klopp rates him highly and described him as ‘absolutely wonderful.’ Maybe under Slot, Solanke could be given a second chance.