“Liverpool To Start Looking…” – Neil Jones On Links To ‘Lightning Quick’ Eredivisie Starlet | OneFootball

It was an emotional day of goodbyes at Anfield last Sunday as Jürgen Klopp took charge of Liverpool for the final time. The Reds ran out 2-0 victors over Wolves, but the day was all about what followed the match action.

Players such as Thiago and Joël Matip received the acclaim of the crowd, followed by several of Jürgen’s coaching staff, including right-hand man Pep Ljinders. The stage was then set for the boss to make his exit. Klopp cut a positive figure throughout, urging the fans to look to the future and singing the name of his successor, Arne Slot.

Slot has not long said his own goodbyes to the Feyenoord faithful, but he will soon be tasked with steering LFC to success and has much to resolve between now and the start of the 2024/25 season.

One area tipped for strengthening by the incoming Dutchman is in attack. PSV winger Johan Bakayoko has been linked with a summer move to Merseyside and is considered to be one of the most exciting players in the Eredivisie.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we spoke to experienced LFC journalist Neil Jones for the lowdown on Bakayoko.

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Neil said:

“What’s he got, 12 goals this season? You’d usually be looking at bigger output, I think, from a player, especially if you’re coming in to replace Salah.

“That’s if you are looking for someone to replace or be like Salah. You might want something different.

“I think Man City have benefited quite a lot actually, from having someone like Jeremy Doku as a sub or in certain games.

“He’s lightning quick, obviously, Bakayoko. He’s young enough that you think that’s a significant development in there as a 21-year-old.

“I think Liverpool should sign a forward player. I personally think it should be a forward player with more evidence of output in terms of more goals. If you look at the players that they have signed, they’ve tended to be a level above where Bakayoko’s at, in terms of that.

“I wouldn’t say I’d be surprised, but it would be maybe a little bit of an alternative kind of option there. He’s certainly a good player and we’ll look out for him at the Euros. He’ll be there with Belgium.

“If I was in charge of recruitment this summer, I think I’d be wanting one more forward option, and that’s regardless of whether anyone goes.

“I don’t expect any drastic kind of shifts in terms of policy. I don’t expect Liverpool to start looking at either kids or 28, 29-year-old Casemiros, and Varanes and people like that.”

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Redmen Reacts

Farewell, Jürgen, and thanks for the memories. Happily, the outgoing boss has left us with more than just memories to hold on to. After last summer’s midfield rebuild, there is now a core group of players in their early to mid-20s who can carry Liverpool forward to future glory. The Reds broke the 80-point barrier for just the sixth time in the Premier League era. Arne Slot can enter the job knowing a few quality additions to the squad can help him mount his own title challenges. Slot will be acutely aware of the abilities of Johan Bakayoko, whose PSV side won a massive 29 games out of 34 en route to this season’s Eredivisie title. Bakayoko has the hallmarks of a Michael Edwards signing, and at just 21, the Belgian has time on his side to develop into a quality player.

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