Despite new boss Jurgen Klopp stating he won’t return to former club Borussia Dortmund in order to poach their star players, Liverpool fans must be in dreamland merely at the prospect of such a notion. With all the toing and froing that goes on in modern transfer deals, it really isn’t out of the realms of possibility that the next two transfer windows could see some Dortmund stars follow their former boss to Anfield.
That is not to say the likes of Matts Hummels and Marco Reus will be wearing the famous all red kit next year, but the Merseyside giants still have an allure, an attraction when attracting top talents. With even Bayern Munich superstar Thomas Muller describing Premier League pay packets as ‘very tempting’, it’s beginning to look like Liverpool could indeed be an attractive proposition.
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Obviously, a World Cup winning centre-back in Hummels or a lethal wide man like Reus would be any manager’s dream, but there’s another name in play at the Westfalenstadion that would suit the Reds down to the ground.
His name is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and he’s in thrilling form.
The 26-year old Gabon international has gone from strength to strength since arriving in Germany from Saint-Etienne, proving himself to be one of the most effective forwards in Europe – netting a stunning 14 goals in 14 games this season.
He’s one of the speediest players in the modern game, tied with Arjen Robben as having the fastest recorded sprint on a football pitch. However, the former AC Milan youngster possess the technical ability to either cut inside and run at a terrified defence, or peel off the back of the last defender to run through on goal.
Often, jet heeled forwards in the mould of the Dortmund man are labelled as ‘speed merchants’, players who simply run fast in straight lines and don’t really know how to play football. Think early years Theo Walcott.
That can’t be applied to Aubameyang, who’s a very intelligent player. His understanding of ferocious forward play allows him to play across the front line, often being deployed as a lone front man but equally as comfortable on either wing.
His link up play with Robert Lewandowski in their only season for Dortmund was fantastic. The two combined time and time again, breaking through compact defences with intricate passing and movement, and utilising the Gabon forward’s electric pace to devastating effect.
With the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino currently calling Anfield home, the Brazilian duo could be the schemers plotting to release the 26-year old. Since the departure of Raheem Sterling, the Reds have lacked an extra dimension as an alternative to some single-paced possession.
Only Jordon Ibe offers a natural wide option in the squad currently, and in a Liverpool side struggling for goals, the Dortmund man could be the best of both worlds.
Either Daniel Sturridge or Christian Benteke can be the focal point of the Reds’ attack, and though neither are in the same class as Lewandowski, the potency of their potential link up play is a mouth-watering prospect.
Much has been made about Klopp’s ‘heavy metal’ philosophy, and a move for Aubameyang could provide the relevant volume to get opposing defenders head banging.
Without such a player, this ‘heavy metal’ project could go down like a led zeppelin.
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