Speaking to Football Insider, ex-Premier League striker Kevin Phillips has suggested that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp can take some encouragement from the recent revelation that Timo Werner only wants a move to Anfield.
Werner, who has bagged an outstanding 24 Bundesliga strikes in just 26 starts for RB Leipzig this season, competing with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski at the top of the league’s goalscoring charts, is being heavily linked with a move to Merseyside.
Do Liverpool need Werner with the Reds' front three?
Yes, the more quality the better
No, Salah, Mane and Firmino are enough
Most recently, Sport Bild revealed that Klopp and Werner held their first ‘virtual meeting‘ around Easter time, with another recent report from Sky Sports also claiming that the Germany international would move to Liverpool if the club triggered his £52 million release clause.
However, pundit Phillips believes we can take the most encouragement from David Ornstein’s recent revelation in the Athletic – which suggested the “unique” Werner will only leave Leipzig for Liverpool despite interest from Bavarian giants Bayern.
Indeed, while the Reds’ front three already appear to be dangerous, throwing in the 24-year-old would debatably make Liverpool an even more intimidating outfit going forward.
According to WhoScored, not only has Werner managed more goals and assists combined than any Reds player, but he’s also averaged a superior amount of shots per game than the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
As well as this, only Mane has completed more dribbles in the league this season, potentially highlighting the fact he would be a star signing under Klopp.
The fact he reportedly has his heart set on a move to Anfield is also ‘very encouraging‘ according to Phillips.
“If they are chasing him that would be very encouraging to hear,” explained the ex-England international to Football Insider.
“It will be for quite a fair bit of money but he looks like a class player.
“Liverpool are at that point now where they have got to aim for the best and he is certainly one of those.
“It will be very encouraging for Jurgen Klopp to hear the player wants to go to the club and that club only.”
Indeed, if Phillips’ verdict is anything to go by, Liverpool should hopefully be ladnig