Liverpool are gunning hard to sign Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer next summer. Here are five reasons he will choose to move to Liverpool.
According to today’s reports Liverpool are heading the race to sign Leon Goretzka from Schalke next summer on a free transfer. The Reds were interested in the German this summer, knowing his contract was coming to a close but his side were not interested in dealing this season.
Emre Can is almost certain to leave Liverpool on a free transfer himself with Juventus and Real Madrid vying for the signing. It is a blow to lose a player who has developed well at Anfield. Getting Goretzka will more than make up for that loss. He is ahead of his countryman Can in the pecking order for Germany’s midfield.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to rejuvenate the spine of the Liverpool team. After the signings of Naby Keita from RB Leipzig and Virgil van Dijk of Southampton the central areas already look stronger. There is more speculation of other center backs arriving with Manuel Akanji of FC Basel and Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao the leading candidates.
Once once of those deals is done that will only leave a new goalkeeper and Goretzka as the final pieces of the jigsaw. The Liverpool attack is already one of the best in Europe. A strong spine and a tougher defensive unit could make them unstoppable.
Yet as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders why would Goretzka choose Liverpool over any one of a host of appealing destinations? Well, it won’t be the weather, but we have 5 great reasons he will pick Liverpool.
No. 1 – Liverpool’s Priority
Firstly, we really, really, really want to sign him. After the confirmation of the van Dijk signing Goretzka becomes the absolute number one priority. Emre Can’s imminent departure ensures that especially as Philippe Coutinho could leave at some point in 2018. Central midfield needs new blood.
The Reds have strong competition for the signature. Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal, Juventus and Barcelona are all in the mix. However it is thought that Juventus will be satisfied with a move for Can. Barcelona are concentrating their efforts to their forwards with potential moves for Antione Griezmann and Paulo Dybala.
Manchester United are focussed on finding a winger with Christian Pulisic or Ivan Perisic their preferred option. While Bayern Munich love to hoover up all the best German players to keep a strong core of home-grown players, they are not in need of a central midfielder. They are stacked at the position and are in greater need of a striker.
That leaves Arsenal. They need Goretzka as much as we do. Maybe even more. But Liverpool are in a much better position as a club. There is energy and clear progress at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp. The Gunners have grown stale and toothless in the latter years of Arsene Wenger’s reign. I like our chances in a straight fight with Arsenal.
No.2 – Leadership Opprotunity
I get the impression that Goretzka wants to be the main man. He doesn’t want to be in-and-out of a team, vying with a slew of other midfielders at a mega-money club. While the prestige and potential for trophies at Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Man City and Bayern is obvious it also can come at a cost for a young player.
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There can be a log jam at those clubs of talents. They also chance their managers regularly. That means even if he convinces a coach to make him first choice there is no guarantee that the next one will feel the same way. Liverpool are relatively stable with their leadership. There is long-term commitment to Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool have had a dearth of leadership since Steven Gerrard left and Jamie Carragher retired. Jordan Henderson has not been as anaemic as many fans will tell you but at this point I’d be surprised if he is a long-term leader at the club.
Not only would Goretzka have a clear shot at being a starter at Liverpool he would stand a good chance of becoming the captain in the mid-term future. He is currently the holder of the armband at Schalke. I believe he has the confidence and the ambition not to settle for a squad role at a big club.
To fulfill his international ambitions he needs to be playing regularly at a top-level. There is too much competition for places in the German national side. He can’t move Bayern to fight with Joshua Kimmich or Real Madrid to sit behind Toni Kroos.
No.3 – Liverpool Lightning Attack
Nobody grows up dreaming of playing for a Jose Mourinho side that plays 10 men behind the ball anytime they face a decent opponent. That is not exciting or appealing. This current Liverpool side is electric. Goretzka has to be licking his lips at the opportunity to be a part of it.
The current Liverpool front four of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho are as good as any in Europe. They have been devastating in the Premier League only trailing Man City in the scoring charts.
In Europe they have been even better. The Reds have racked up 29 goals in Europe this season. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that kind of excellence on the biggest club stage in world football?
Goretzka is an all round midfielder. He loves to get forward and join the attack; creating opportunities for others and banging in the goals. This season he has four goals in his eight starts. He is an expert at the late run into the box and the pile driver from the edge of the area. In that regard he reminds me of Frank Lampard. That is the one thing that this Reds attack is missing.
No.4 – Jürgen Norbert Klopp
Make no mistake. There are a hold handful of good reasons to come to Liverpool, but right now there is one that eclipses all others. Jurgen Klopp is the reason why players are turning down moves to other clubs. His infectious enthusiasm and football is irresistible for like-minded players.
Naby Keita turned down the opportunity to move to Barcelona to play for Klopp. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected more money at Arsenal and Chelsea to join the German’s plans at Anfield. The influence of the manager is thought to be the tipping point for Virgil van Dijk also. Instead of picking up a guaranteed Premier League medal at Man City he was convinced by Klopp’s pitch for Liverpool.
Much of why these players want to play for Jurgen Klopp are off-field reasons; charismatic personality, inviting work environment, positive culture. Yet there are just as many on-field reasons too.
For Goretzka in particular – Germans view Klopp as an icon – Klopp is a manager who can help him become a better player. He will have witnessed the growth of his countryman Emre Can and will be keen for his own development. He has more talent than Can and could fulfill all his great potential under Klopp’s tutelage.
No.5 – Naby Keita Partnership
Have you ever been in a job where you have done way more work than your colleagues? It sucks. While Goretzka wants to be the main man at Liverpool, he doesn’t want to be the only one holding down the midfield.
Naby Keita is, like Goretzka, a generational talent. Great players like playing with great players. Perhaps an egotist like Cristiano Ronaldo is different. But for everyone else they want teammates who are stars too. Players who can help them become better and be successful.
Central midfielders have to run more than any other players on the pitch. They have to cover the most ground and carry responsibilities at both ends of the pitch. How great must it be to know you will have a partner like Keita?
The Guinean dynamo is a mad man with his effort. He is everywhere. He chases everything and gives the opposition not a seconds rest. If you are playing next to a teammate like that you know that you can catch your breath when you need to. You also know he will cover your runs if you venture forward.
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Goretzka is not going to get anything like that from playing with Granit Xhaka. The choice to join Liverpool is far easier than we believe.