Silly season is upon us, but given that Liverpool are the best team in England having won the Premier League, there are scant players across the globe who wouldn’t at least consider a move to Anfield this summer.
And players will come through the gates. FSG hit the jackpot when appointing Arne Slot to replace Jurgen Klopp last year, an affable but contrasting personality whose meticulous tactical approach has borne dividends.
Having done the business without any proper first-team investment, Liverpool’s owners are happy to get their purse out and reward the Dutch coach, with a range of incomings expected.
While replacing Darwin Nunez, who has failed to react positively to Slot’s tactics and is expected to leave at the end of the season, is the chief attacking priority, especially with Mohamed Salah now tied down for two more years, Slot is keen to strengthen across a number of areas.
And that intrigue has led to Villa Park, with Morgan Rogers added to Liverpool’s shortlist.
Liverpool's interest in Morgan Rogers
Rogers has only been at Aston Villa for 14 months, but he’s made quite the impression, leaving Middlesbrough in the Championship to sign for Unai Emery’s side in a £15m deal.
His rise and rise has caught Liverpool’s eye, that’s for sure, with the mighty Fabrizio Romano revealing to GIVEMESPORT this week that Liverpool and Chelsea are among the top clubs to have been scouting the 22-year-old this season.
However, sealing a deal is hardly going to be a walk around Stanley Park, for Manchester United have also shown an interest in Rogers of late and were met with a response that a bid worth £68m would be required for Villa to consider his departure.
The ice-cold England international has scored 14 goals and added 13 assists across 50 Villan appearances this season, though it bears testament to the level of his ability that it is the underlying quality that has lifted him toward the top of Liverpool’s summer shortlist.
However, with Villa expected to play hardball, especially so if they retain their place in the Champions League, Liverpool might be forced to turn their heads elsewhere.
Luckily, a fitting and more affordable alternative has been earmarked.
Liverpool chasing new forward
As per Football Insider, West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus is open to a move away from east London this season after a disappointing campaign, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all interested.
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However, Reds fans will be pleased to know that FSG are singled out as the main party in the race so far, confident that they can seal a summer deal for a figure lower than his £80m release clause.
The player himself, meanwhile, is said to want to ‘make that move’ to Anfield and would ‘jump at the opportunity if an offer arrives’.
While some will harbour reservations after the Ghanaian’s below-par output this season, this talent is unquestionable and the Hammers are willing to consider cut-price offers.
What Mohammed Kudus would bring to Liverpool
In August 2023, West Ham signed Kudus from Ajax for a £38m fee, pipping Brighton & Hove Albion to his signature. Regarded as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith.
He played an important part for United last term, scoring 14 goals and laying on nine assists as David Moyes’ side fought for European qualification in the Premier League and drove their way into the quarter-finals of the Europa League, losing over two legs against Bayer Leverkusen.
However, there’s no denying that Kudus has fallen down a notch this season, albeit struggling alongside the masses over a deeply frustrating year for the Irons.
Matches (starts)
33 (27)
28 (28)
Goals
8
4
Assists
6
2
Shots (on target)*
2.0 (0.5)
2.4 (0.8)
Pass completion
84%
90%
Big chances created
5
3
Key passes*
0.8
1.0
Dribbles*
3.8
3.0
Ball recoveries*
6.4
4.5
Tackles*
2.0
1.2
Duels won*
8.5
6.6
There is a reason why Liverpool have maintained an interest in the winger over the past year. Kudus would be the first to admit he has endured a testing campaign, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a player worthy of a place in Slot’s squad.
Indeed, his propensity for danger down the channels is quite a thing; for instance, Kudus disabled a firm Arsenal defence during a shock victory at the Emirates Stadium back in February, all but ending the Gunners’ feeble title hopes.
This is perhaps best illustrated through FBref’s data. The statistical site list that he ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Curiously, FBref also record that Rogers is one of Kudus’ most comparable players when assessing data from the ongoing Premier League season, and if the Villa man does prove to be unattainable in the market this summer, Liverpool may be convinced to move down a different track.
The statistical likeness suggests that either star would be a fitting addition to an already talented and dynamic frontline. Both have been profiled, and both are firmly on Hughes’ radar.
A “fearless” ball-carrying threat, as has been said by scout Antonio Mango, Rogers is proving himself to be a dangerous player indeed, breaking from midfield or the left flank and closer and closer toward the goalmouth, where his growing potency has indeed led to 27 goal involvements across all competitions this season.
However, Kudus demonstrated last season his elite level for West Ham. He will be annoyed at his own regression under Julen Lopetegui and now Graham Potter at the London Stadium, but there’s little question he has ‘generational’ quality that Slot could tap into and shape into something truly special for Liverpool.
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