“Makes Sense…” – Paul Gorst On Liverpool Links With ‘Really Clever’ PL Forward | OneFootball

One of the few areas for The Reds to potentially improve according to fans and pundits alike is in the centre-forward position. Diogo Jota’s bad luck with injuries has continued into this season and Darwin Núñez has struggled to impress in recent weeks, with Arne Slot commenting that the Uruguayan ‘hasn’t scored the amount of goals that he wants to score, or we want a number nine to score’ in his pre-match press conference.

One man cited as a possible addition to Slot’s attacking ranks is Brighton forward João Pedro. The Brazilian has been in fine form this season and has drawn comparisons with fellow countryman Roberto Firmino.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked the Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on João Pedro.

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Paul said:

“Liverpool has a good relationship with Brighton based on the way they handled the Mac Allister deal. I think it was all done very amicably and in-house, and done the ‘right’ way.

“Whenever I see him, he looks a really clever player. He doesn’t look like someone who’s going to get you 20, or 25 goals, but he looks like someone who knits the play together so brilliantly, and I see loads of comparisons with Firmino whenever I see him play.

“I think there’s a wider conversation to be had about Liverpool needing a number nine at some point.

“I don’t think it’s January’s issue, but maybe next summer when you look at what Jota is able to contribute in terms of minutes and appearances, what Núñez has contributed goals-wise.

“I think it’s something for Liverpool to sit down and have a real discussion about, and if they do feel a new striker is needed, then there are a few options.

“João Pedro is, I’m sure, someone they are looking at and thinking, ‘He’s doing well, let’s certainly keep an eye on him.’

“He’s still in that hitting zone where Liverpool like to get them and bring them in and they can kick on to the next level, so there’s a lot about this link that makes sense.”

REDMEN REACTS

Paul is right to identify several factors which make João Pedro feel like a realistic target for Liverpool. They have a good business relationship with Brighton, although Tony Bloom may regret including the release clause in Alexis Mac Allister’s contract that saw the Argentinian join the Reds for a fee seen by many as lower than market value. Mac Allister aside, the Seagulls are renowned for extracting maximum value in the transfer market, so FSG may have to cough up if they are to land Pedro. The 23-year-old has an attractive goalscoring record of almost one in two at his current club, which is no mean feat considering the plaudits he receives as an attacking facilitator and linker of play. With the ‘Firmino 2.0’ experiment involving Cody Gakpo now firmly on the back burner, perhaps Arne Slot could consider bringing in another Brazilian if he wants to emulate the best of Bobby during his reign.