OPINION
Liverpool used their summer to target youth players who could come in and make a difference for Jurgen Klopp.
The decision not to bring in senior options doesn’t appear to have haunted them, as the Reds have had a perfect start to the Premier League season, winning all eight games and opening up an eight-point gap at the top of the table to nearest rivals Manchester City.
Liverpool appear to be sticking by that decision to target younger players, with a report suggesting that they are in the hunt to sign Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.
The Daily Mail reported on Friday afternoon that Liverpool are set to battle Premier League rivals Chelsea for the signing of the former Leeds United star.
The newspaper claimed on their website that the Reds are in the market for the best emerging English talent and that Cook’s fitness, passing ability, and leadership qualities have seen him compared to Jordan Henderson.
Cook has suffered injuries in the past couple of years, picking up damage to his knee-ligament which kept him sidelined for almost a year – returning to action in September.
Liverpool would be smart to target the 22-year-old for their midfield, especially now that Klopp has decided that he could sanction an exit for Adam Lallana in the summer [Football Insider].
Chelsea are still waiting for a date to hear their appeal against their recent transfer ban, after being slapped with a two-window ban by FIFA – with the January transfer window being the last of those [Football.London].
The Reds surely have the upper hand in any negotiations in the hunt for Cook as they have the ability to enter talks with Bournemouth, and potentially even complete a deal for the youngster in the winter transfer window should they wish – something Frank Lampard’s side can’t do at this moment.
