Liverpool take on Southampton on Sunday afternoon to close out what has been a disappointing campaign. Despite a late unbeaten league run, the Reds were never in contention in any of the competitions they entered this season, just a year after coming close to winning a historic quadruple.
One man linked with a possible move to Merseyside who may be lining up in Sunday’s game is Roméo Lavia. The young Belgian seems likely to leave a beleaguered Saints side that will be looking to cash in on their most valuable assets.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones to run the rule over Lavia.
Southampton v Liverpool | Match Preview
Neil said:
“I think there’s a chance for someone to get this player. City have obviously got this buyback clause that comes back next summer, I think it’s £40million. I think there are a lot of people who think if you were thinking about waiting another year – don’t – because you’ll miss out.
“I think Lavia being in that position is someone who, in an ideal world, you’d be looking at and saying he’s got a chance of becoming a Liverpool player. I’m not sure this summer is the one for him. I think he’s maybe too young, maybe a little bit too little of a guarantee. I’m not sure it will be this summer for Liverpool, but you never know.
“If you bought Lavia now, he’s potentially a brilliant player, but he might not even walk into your first 11 yet. I think Liverpool are not in that position where if you talk £35/40 million for someone who might be OK, but do you know what – Stefan Bajčetić might keep him out of the team at the start of the next season. I don’t know if Liverpool will push the button on a player like that, despite his obvious talent and potential.
“If you’re going to sign up a Fabinho-position player, it almost just needs to be someone who’s going to take over from him straight away, doesn’t it?”
Jürgen Klopp himself in the last two or three years at the club, there is more of a pressing need to sign players closer to the finished article.
Redmen Reacts
Lavia is one of the few players to impress in a very poor Southampton side. Turning down the opportunity to sign him could be a gamble – if he is re-signed by Manchester City or another top side and becomes one of the best young midfielders in the country, it will seem like a massive missed opportunity. On the other hand, every indication to come out of Liverpool is that they are focusing on players with a proven track record in the Premier League and a little more experience than just one season in the top flight. It seems unlikely that the club would part with a significant amount of money for a 19-year-old, given that Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Stefan Bajčetić have a combined age of just 60. Qualification for the Champions League is a priority for next season. With figures such as Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Jürgen Klopp himself in the last two or three years at the club, there is more of a pressing need to sign players closer to the finished article.
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