It looks like it will be a summer of transition for Liverpool.
While Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards are not tearing out the core of the team that has won the Premier League and Champions League over the past two years, there is no denying that the squad needs some new blood.
With Georginio Wijnaldum likely to leave and a number of recognized beginners entering the 30s, new blood will soon be needed across the pitch, and that includes the forward line, where reliable coverage for Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane is still sparse despite the resurgence of Diogo Jota.
So where is it better to start than the player who just did the fastest hat trick in the history of the Austrian Bundesliga, and just happens to be a Liverpool fan?
Patson Daka. 11 minute hat-trick.
He’s tearing up this league. #RBSSTU pic.twitter.com/u1hoZKoRJP
– The Other Bundesliga (@OtherBundesliga) April 4, 2021
At 22, Patson Daka begins to look like Erling Haaland’s second arrival (even though he is the older of the two). Salzburg’s latest sensation hits the targets at the same pace as the Norwegian this season – he has 30 in just 32 matches in 2020/21 – and gathers reported interest from more than 20 clubs across the continent.
But while the likes of Man City and Barcelona fall over themselves to land Haaland, who has torn it apart in Germany since joining Borussia Dortmund, Daka represents a chance for Liverpool’s recruiting team to come in early and stay ahead of the curve.
If Zambian continues at something like his current pace, it will not be long before someone else commands nine figures for his services. Reports in Austria, however, suggest that Salzburg will seek a modest fee just north of the £ 17 million they received for Haaland in 2019.
‣ Man United‣ Liverpool‣ Man City‣ Arsenal
Big English pages are looking for Red Bull Salzburg hitman Patson Daka. ?
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) March 23, 2021
That’s about half of what Liverpool paid for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino – yet Daka performs better than any of the three when they arrived at Anfield.
News of Liverpool’s interest is not exactly a surprise, certainly not at a time when they need to start thinking about a future beyond their established front three. Jota is looking for the whole world as if he will lead the next phase and will hit his premiere time just when the Klopp era at Anfield kicks off – hopefully not until 2024.
Harvey Elliott, at 18, is the long-term hope, but there are too many variables to trust that he will do well at the top level yet.
Daka falls somewhere between the two – immediately he would be a step up on Divock Origi, but years after the line, the sky is the limit.
Daka is known for his pace and attacking instincts and looks like the perfect attack alternative for Liverpool’s minor rebuild this summer. Described by Zambia’s manager Milutin Sredejovic as the successor to African football as Mane or Samuel Eto’o, he is already on his way to greatness.
“I would say he is about to replace what Samuel Eto’o once was when he represented Africa and African football,” said Sredejovic.
He makes magic happen with these feet. Cross was definitely amazing ?? https://t.co/IdyKVegcW1
– Patson Daka (@ PatsonDaka20) April 5, 2021
“He could be compared to Sadio Mane or Samuel Eto’o, with the level of skill and speed he has, with a sense of space, a sense of positioning, in the right place at the right time.”
He admitted that it was a lifelong dream come true when he played against Liverpool at Anfield last season.
The Reds should therefore use it to their advantage and pull on every heart cord they can to win the race for the latest crown jewel of Austrian football. It is too good not to try.
