Liverpool have been linked with a move for Adrien Rabiot, but they would be much better served doing more business with Red Bull to sign Salzburg’s Amadou Haidara.
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What’s the story?
According to ESPN, Liverpool have made contact with the mother and agent of PSG star Rabiot.
The French midfielder has rejected multiple contract offers from the Ligue 1 champions, and is expected to leave Paris when his contract expires next summer.
The report claims Jürgen Klopp has already spoken on the phone with the 23 year-old, but the Liverpool boss could go one better by swooping for Red Bull Salzburg’s Haidara.
Rabiot is a wonderful passer, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the athleticism required to play in Klopp’s midfield. Haidara is only 20, but is already showing signs of being the next “perfect fit” for Klopp’s trademark gegenpressing, just like Naby Keita.
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The next Keita?
Haidara has already been linked with a move to replace Keita in Leipzig, and it’s not hard to see why. The young Mali international was superb in Salzburg’s Europa League campaign last season, scoring a phenomenal solo goal in the semi-final against Marseille.
His stats through the competition are truly remarkable, as he averaged 2.2 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes, while also winning 2.7 aerial duels per 90 minutes, despite standing at just 5 ft 8 in.
To put those numbers in perspective, Georginio Wijnaldum averaged 0.9 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 0.6 aerial wins per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season.
He’s not bad on the ball either, completing 1.5 dribbles per game, while Wijnaldum averaged 1.6. His acceleration and technique allow him to weave himself out of tight positions, and his passing is improving as he earns more experience.
Just like Wijnaldum, his one weakness right now is his end product, scoring just 11 times in 72 appearances for Salzburg, although he has added 14 assists as well. The difference between the two is of course their age, and the Mali youngster could become truly world class under Klopp.
While Fabinho hasn’t made his Liverpool bow yet, a midfield trio of Fabinho, Keita and Haidara would have a combination of speed, technique and nastiness that the Premier League has never seen before, and would make the Reds’ impressive recent defensive record even better.
So, Liverpool fans, would you rather go with the more proven player in Rabiot? Or take a gamble on Haidara? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…
