Why Liverpool should go all out to sign Christian Pulisic in January
According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool are monitoring Borussia Dortmund’s attacking midfielder Christian Pulisic.
The United States of America international was one of the players heavily linked with Liverpool after the Reds had failed in their £11million bid back in August 2016. Links with Pulisic have grown fiercer with each passing year and he definitely won’t be cheap now.
After a fantastic start to the new Premier League season, the 0-0 draw with Manchester City prior to the second international break suggested that Liverpool lack a creative midfielder in their ranks to provide the spark in the final third.
Fabinho, Naby Keita, Alisson Becker and Xherdan Shaqiri are proof that the Reds did enjoy a fantastic summer transfer window but it could be argued that the replacement for Philippe Coutinho has not yet arrived at Anfield.
Before moving to Barcelona in January, Coutinho was the creative hub of the Reds. The Brazilian picked out passes, created things out of nothing, scored long-range scorchers and gave Liverpool a different dimension to their attack. His departure has created a big void in the attack and Jurgen Klopp must surely plan to fill it in January.
While Liverpool’s midfield has done well this term despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s absence, there is a certain lack of an X-factor.
The Reds don’t have a creative midfielder in their ranks to reduce the burden off the shoulders of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. And that is where the signing of Christian Pulisic would make sense.
Pulisic is widely regarded as one of Europe’s best young talents. The 20-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since 2015 and has established himself as a regular fixture in Dortmund’s senior team.
Pulisic won’t be a direct replacement for Coutinho but would be able to add his flavour to Liverpool’s attack. He is generally classified as a central attacking midfielder but the American is also comfortable playing on either flank.
The 20-year-old is a technically blessed player capable of beating players with his pace, agility and body control. He uses his good vision to link up the play and has the ability to finish off the chances presented to him.
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All in all, Pulisic possesses all the qualities to flourish in Klopp’s high-press system. Klopp should definitely go for the American star when the transfer window reopens in January.
Liverpool desperately need an attacking midfielder who can create opportunities and finish off the moves too. In Pulisic, they will get that in abundance.