Liverpool are known to be one of the most shrewd competitors in the market these days. Their data-driven approach has taken them back to the glory days, with the Premier League title just about on its way according to all the football tipsters in the world. While whatever happens this season is anyone’s guess, the club will still look to improve in some regards this season.
Somehow, the club has been linked with a move to sign Lille striker Victor Osimhen in recent days. Reports from France say that the Reds are looking to compete with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham for the Nigerian. But in many ways, a transfer like that will not make much sense for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
It isn’t to say that Osimhen is a bad player. The striker joined Lille this past summer from Belgian club Charleroi after the club had let go of Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao. But in his very first season France, he has made a very good impression and that has led to many clubs being linked with him.
The former Wolfsburg man, 21, has contributed to 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1. 13 of them have been goals, with the striker racking up four assists. He has already gone past Leao’s goalscoring tally from last season, becoming the main outlet of the club’s goals.
He is known for a tireless work rate and a very reliable heading ability. While he has underperformed on his XG by over one, many other parts of his game are very good.
He has come up with the highest number of pressures in the attacking third in Ligue 1 this season. It shows that he thrives on pressing high up the pitch like Liverpool love. But as per Soccerment, Osimhen takes 6.1 touches in the box and takes 1.4 shots on target per 90 minutes. This shows that he relies on being in the box as much as he can to maximise his product.
In total, he takes 3.38 shots on goal and this too leads to a higher product and more goals. 6 percent of his touches come in the box and that again is proof of how he needs to be at a club where he can be in the box as much as he can. This has allowed him to win 4.72 aerial duels per 90 minutes out of a total attempted aerial duels of 10.50.
This is just proof of how he likes to play. He will work hard up the pitch but he demands to be in the final third and not drop deep. He isn’t creative on the ball as he creates only 0.83 chances per 90 minutes. He is more like a Mario Mandzukic.
What Liverpool have upfront is a false nine in Roberto Firmino. The Brazilian is more of a striker who drops deep to add an extra number in midfield. He possesses a much higher technical outlet than Osimhen as he creates 1.45 chances per 90 minutes and plays 0.22 through balls per 90 minutes (per Soccerment). That is just a reflection of how he’s more creative as a striker than the Nigerian.
Firmino’s abilities help Liverpool in allowing Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah more central room, while the full-backs play further forward. Firmino adds solidarity to the midfield, which has the job of keeping things simple and tight.
This shows that a move for Osimhen will be a big mismatch for Liverpool. He would suit a club like Tottenham more, with Jose Mourinho needed a striker who can head balls and score goals by staying in the final third.
Liverpool might need a back-up striker for Firmino, but Osimhen is at an age where he should be playing regularly and not playing second-fiddle. A move to Anfield will not make sense at all.
