Liverpool have won one game in seven and looked frail at the back and stagnant up top, but Dominic Solanke could be the perfect remedy for the Reds’ malaise.
The England youth international, touted by manager Jürgen Klopp as “the biggest English talent” in the no. 9 position, has looked active and bright despite only playing 166 minutes so far this season. Solanke first impressed in pre-season after his move from Chelsea’s academy, usurping Divock Origi in the pecking order and forcing the Belgian striker to move for Wolfsburg in the search for minutes.
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With Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge ahead of him, Solanke was never likely to get a huge amount of playing time in his first season, but a chance has risen with Klopp’s two main strikers failing to produce. Firmino hasn’t scored since Liverpool’s Champions League game against Sevilla and looked well off the mark as a whole. The Brazilian forward is not linking up with his attacking partners, miscontrolling simple balls, and his characteristic pressing has looked a lethargic as of late.
On the other hand, Sturridge hasn’t netted since August. His dynamism and mobility are nowhere where they used to be, either because of past injuries or because the player himself is afraid of picking up a knock.
These issues came to a head after Sturridge’s painful game against Newcastle. He missed a fairly clear chance early in the second half and was then hooked off for Firmino. Despite having stayed in Merseyside this summer, his poor performances and unnatural fit with Jürgen Klopp’s style of play make Sturridge’s future muddier than ever.
Solanke option
Solanke is yet to score in an official game for Liverpool, but his cameos indicate that the future is bright. Unlike Firmino and Sturridge, who like to vacate the box and roam around the final third, the 20-year old is more of a reference point.
While playing wide is an arrow in his quiver, Solanke prefers to stay around the box and occupy opposition centre backs. Additionally, his 1.87m frame provides a target for Liverpool’s crossing. Liverpool’s recent creative woes have meant resorting to deliveries from wide areas to small players. Solanke would be a far better option for that strategy.
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Klopp can only stick with his current plan for so long before giving someone else a go. The Manchester United game after the international break might be too big of an occasion for Solanke. However, that didn’t stop Klopp from giving Trent Alexander-Arnold his full league debut at Old Trafford last season. If not, there should also be a chance for Solanke against Slovenian minnows Maribor in the Champions League.