Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern have just about got over their side’s crushing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in last month’s Champions League final, thus denying the Reds a sixth European crown.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into their clash with the Spanish heavyweights full of confidence after beating Porto, Manchester City, and Roma en route to the showpiece, although they were comfortably second-best in Kiev on May 26. A brace from Gareth Bale alongside Karim Benzema’s opener was enough to seal victory for Real, in turn clinching them a third successive Champions League triumph, and 13th in their illustrious history.
As such, there have been many despondent Liverpudlians in the Tavern in recent times, and their mood is unlikely to have improved by recent reports suggesting that a deal for Lyon forward Nabil Fekir is unlikely to take place.
And with a deal for the France international seemingly off, Liverpool must now turn their attentions towards luring exciting £27 million-rated ace Wilfried Zaha (as per Transfermarkt) to Anfield.
Ultimately, 24-year-old Fekir would have gone some way to seriously bolstering the attacking ranks at Anfield given he scored 23 goals for the French side this term, and indeed laid on eight assists.
Thus, it would suggest that Reds chief Klopp is indeed in the market for further forward reinforcements to provide the competition needed to Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane, and there is little doubting that Crystal Palace’s Zaha would do just that as well.
The 25-year-old has proven to be one of the best and most influential attackers outside of the Premier League’s top six in the last few years, with the winger finally finding a level of consistency that has taken him from raw talent to one reportedly worth £70 million.
The Ivory Coast international bagged nine goals and laid on five assists this term to help Roy Hodgson’s side beat the drop, adding to the seven goals and 11 assists he contributed last time round to inspire Sam Allardyce’s Eagles to Premier League safety – ultimately, he is constantly producing the goods.
And in a side with even better attacking options, Zaha is surely going to flourish even more, and certainly provide the sort of competition the likes of Salah and Mane may need next season to once again hit the heights – they scored a staggering 64 goals between them this term.
Ultimately, the 25-year-old is significantly better than the current attacking options outside of the lethal front three at Anfield, which can only be good news for Klopp in his bid to keep them fresh for the entirety of the season, while also providing genuine competition for places – Mane may well have been dropped during his dip in form earlier this term were Zaha at the club.
As such, while there will be obvious disappointment that a deal for Fekir is seemingly off, Liverpool cannot feel sorry for themselves and must instead go out and bring 25-year-old Zaha to Anfield.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
