Liverpool will win the race for the £50m star

Diogo Jota scored 22 seconds after being introduced from the bench at the City Ground on Tuesday night, rescuing a point for the top-placed Liverpool in Premier League.

It put a clear stamp on the number nine debate at Anfield. Luis Diaz adds a kind of charged dynamism to Liverpool’s attack when operating as a centre-forward, whereas Darwin Nunez he brings his own energy while also offering a more conventional approach to the forward role.

But Jota is a real goalscorer, a clinical and commanding presence that the club needs going forward. If he stays fit, you’d think the Portuguese would enjoy plenty of football as a focal point.

There is a jot scored eight goals and two assists of only 11 starts in 2024/25. Liverpool may have been sniffing around for a new striker this month, but that doesn’t seem like a priority when viewed in its entirety.

Liverpool cool Kvaratskhelia interest

Early strikes in the winter transfer market brought to the fore Liverpool’s interest in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Paris Saint-Germain have already made them the driver to sign the Napoli star, but an apparent briefing to reporters confirmed that FSG are ready to act if the Georgian confirms his desire to leave Serie A.

Well, PSG have made steady progress over the past week and are now on the cusp of getting the job done, with radio silence coming from Anfield during the interval.

While it is a bit strange that the Reds showed their hand before going back into the shadows, it is very possible that a market opportunity arose and the club considered it. In any case, Liverpool’s first line will hardly suffer due to the absence of the left winger.

Perhaps sports director Richard Hughes is turning to more demanding topics, with Andy Robertson30, in decline and clearly in need of a new left back.

Liverpool are targeting a new left-back

According to The and PaperLiverpool are poised to win the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, ahead of both Premier League sides Manchester, and the player himself is believed to favor a move to Anfield this summer.

Kerkez has been one of the division’s brightest emerging talents this term and the Cherries will look to frustrate end-of-season negotiations, with the report claiming the deal must fall in the region of £50m.

However, Andoni Iraola welcomed Argentine left-back Julio Soler to the Vitality Stadium this month for a fee of £11.5 millionso moves have already been made to the south in order to soften the potential sale of the Hungarians.

Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez

Liverpool have raised their collective level in Sloto’s system this term, but Robertson has sadly fallen. Once the most eclectic player on the team, years of grueling work seemingly ended his best performance as a Red.

It might seem that a surprise deal for Kvaratskhelia would be the exciting and important signing Liverpool needed, but that simply isn’t the case, not when efforts could be focused on areas like left-back.

Of course, eighth-placed Bournemouth appear to be sticking to their stance that they will not sell Kerkez this month as they pursue their outside chance of qualifying for Europe, but Liverpool appear to have the funds ready to go and a £50m offer could tempt them with determination rivals, given that the replacement is already welcome.

The i Paper is actually hailing Hungary team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai as ‘the new Andy Robertson,’ with his pace and power from wide play perfectly lifting Bournemouth’s side.

The 21-year-old has scored one goal, provided three assists and kept five clean sheets in the Premier League this season and, according to Sofascoreaverages 1.4 tackles and 4.5 rebounds per game, winning 59% of his face-offs.

Moreover, his Sofascore heat map clearly comments on Kerkez’s energy and ground-covering style. Robertson’s heatmap is just as accurate, with his loss of pace and power relegating him to a more solid role on the left side of defence, an average of 0.1 dribble per game.

Kvaratskhelia may have been the flashier and more exciting signing to prioritise, but Liverpool may be better off focusing on Kerkez, whose skills could serve as a lasting tonic at left-back, allowing Robertson to retain his first-team role while he lightens the burden he carries, ahead of Kostas Tsimikas, although he is clearly struggling, he is the weak link in the system at the elite level.

It was agreed, then; Kerkez would be a better signing. One thing FSG excels at is drowning out fan noise and biding their time in the market until the time is right to pounce. It can be frustrating for those of the Liverpool persuasion, but which team usually wins on the pitch?

Look, Kerkez would be a wonderful addition midway through the 2024/25 season, but Liverpool are top of the Premier League and Champions League and still in both domestic cup competitions. If it doesn’t come together by the summer, there’s still reason to be excited for this season and beyond.