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View from the Kop

Erik Lamela: Perhaps A Star of Liverpool’s Future?

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At 18 years of age, he was River’s leading creative force on the pitch and despite his young age, he is already taking the set piece deliveries at corners and free kicks. River dominated the first half and could have been a number of goals up by the interval. Lamela was the creative lynchpin of the River midfield and outshone his illustrious opponent Juan Roman Riquelme for Boca.

Many have compared Lamela to Riquelme and it is easy to see why. Still a teenager, Lamela is already over 6ft but he already has an assuredness of touch and calmness about his play, which is more attune with a player much older. He is predominantly left footed but he has an excellent passing range and is a good distributor of the ball. Although he does lack speed and acceleration, he does have the ability to dribble with the ball and turn players to find space so he can pick out a dangerous ball either to the flanks or through the middle. His set piece delivery is however his primary weapon. It was his corner for Jonathan Maidana that got the winning goal for River in the second half and Lamela also went close with two free kicks after the interval.

Considering it was his first Superclasico, it was an impressive display but he has continued his form on from there, helping River to a fourth place finish in the Apertura Championship. In January he was subject to a €12m bid from AC Milan but River are said to be holding out for between €15-20m. Whether he is worth that amount, we will have to wait and see, but Lamela ( who turns 19 today) is certainly one of Argentina’s hottest prospects and is on the wanted list of many of Europe’s biggest clubs.

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