Liverpool are no longer interested in Borussia Monchengladbachâs Mahmoud Dahoud and Goal report that Jurgen Kloppâs midfield experiment this season has prompted this U-turn.
Whatâs the story?
Last summer the Reds were widely linked with the 21-year-old playmaker on the back of his impressive Bundesliga season, but a deal failed to come to fruition as Gladbach lost both Granit Xhaka and Havard Nordtveit to Arsenal and West Ham respectively, leaving them somewhat reluctant to sanction a transfer.
Reports had since suggested that Liverpool remained keen on the silky starlet, but now Goal have stated that Kloppâs changed his mind in regards to the Syria-born player, with Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallanaâs performances having been key.
Itâs understood that Hendersonâs use of the ball from deep, Lallanaâs chance creation and goal output and Wijnaldumâs ability to knit the two together have prompted the re-think, with RB Leipzigâs Naby Keita mooted as a more attractive proposition now.
How Does Dahoud rank?
Well, the stats (via Squawka) somewhat back up Goalâs claims. With Dahoud failing to top any of the Redsâ current options in the aforementioned areas. Indeed, his pass accuracy, total passes, chances created, assists and goals scored-per-game tallies fail to top the trio of Anfield starsâ returns, albeit he has made more interceptions â a count seen as vital in Kloppâs counter-pressing style of play.
Although abandoning their pursuit makes some statistical sense, beyond Henderson, Wijnaldum and Lallana, Liverpool have very few options, with only Emre Can of sufficient quality to step in easily â although there is an argument for pushing Philippe Coutinho central from his left-wing berth.
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