OPINION
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is currently scheduled to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, and it’s important that the Reds find an upgrade for the England international.
One player who would instantly propel Jurgen Klopp’s side to the next level is RB Leipzig attacker Timo Werner, who the Daily Mirror report Liverpool are keeping tabs on.
There could be an opening for the Reds to bring the German international to Anfield at the end of the season, with Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff telling Kicker on Thursday that the club require a decision from Werner on his future by the end of play this campaign at the latest.
Werner’s contract with the German side is set to expire in the summer of 2020, and Leipzig are essentially telling the 22-year-old to sign a new deal or get out of town.
The player will surely be aware of the interest from Merseyside – and likely from many other top teams as well – and so it would be no surprise to see him refuse to sign an extension.
If that proves to be the case then Liverpool must make sure they bring Werner to Anfield, his signing could see them join the top table of European football.
The youngster has proved to be one of the finest frontmen in Europe in recent years and he would instantly provide this Reds team with an added dimension moving forward.
We’ve seen Roberto Firmino move into a deeper lying role this season, meaning that Klopp would be able to play all four of Frimino, Werner, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in his starting 11 if he so chooses. A 4-2-3-1 formation with the current Reds trio supporting Werner would be too much for even the stingiest of defences to handle.
Werner has hit 13 goals in 21 games this term, while he scored 21 times alongside 10 assists in 45 games last time out. Those are outstanding numbers, especially for someone who is still in the infancy of his career.
Whoever gets the Leipzig star will find themselves, potentially, with Europe’s next great number nine. For Liverpool that’s an opportunity that cannot be passed up, especially after Mintzlaff’s ultimatum.
