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Is Nicolas Pepe the versatile forward Jurgen Klopp craves?

By Russell Hughes

FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 20: LOSC Lille forward Nicolas Pepe from Ivory Coast (L) tries to escape FC Porto defender Alex Telles from Brazil (R) during the match between FC Porto v LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 20, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
FARO, PORTUGAL - JULY 20: LOSC Lille forward Nicolas Pepe from Ivory Coast (L) tries to escape FC Porto defender Alex Telles from Brazil (R) during the match between FC Porto v LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on July 20, 2018 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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Lille star Nicolas Pepe has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool, but is he the versatile forward Jurgen Klopp craves?

The Reds have been linked with a wide range of playmakers, wide-men and strikers and Pepe is the latest rumour swirling around.

Divock Origi looks set to be handed fresh terms and maybe Klopp will use Origi as the versatile forward, or maybe not.

With Daniel Sturridge gone and Rhian Brewster yet to make his senior debut, the Anfield bosses may still be tempted to splash the cash on someone who can come in and make an instant difference. Can that be Pepe?

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Well, using data from Smarter Scout, it may not be super clear how versatile the Ligue 1 star is.  Pepe has played only 100 minutes on the left wing in the last three seasons, and so there’d be a heft adaption period if he was asked to fill in for Sadio Mane.

However, the 24-year-old has more experience playing in a shadow striker/playmaker/striker role and has scored eight goals across 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 doing so.

Pepe is an excellent dribbler and makes the most of getting the ball in the final third. With 96/99 for dribbling, 86/99 for ball retention and 75/99 for attacking output, it’s clear that he would be able to trouble Premier League defences.

It’s as a right winger, however, where the Lille man has played most of his football and that could be a problem. It means Pepe would be forced to compete with Mohamed Salah for game time, and no sane person in the football world would try and do that.

Despite his six goals from that position, the forward is also a creator and was involved in 68% of moves that ended in a goal. There’s no doubt he’s a good player who can fill two of the three positions across the front line, but will Pepe play enough?

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Liverpool already have world class players in each of their three positions and finding a back up will take skill and a lot of persuading. They should give Pepe a miss.