Liverpool are actively preparing for a season in the Champions League group stages by seeking new signings who can strengthen the squad. Manager Jurgen Klopp is aware that the squad needs significant strengthening in order to cope with the demands of the 2017-18 Premier League season. Due to the club’s expected qualification (we still have to win the qualifiers) for the Champions League, Liverpool will have plenty of matches that demands a bigger squad in order to keep the players fresh – especially while retaining Jurgen Klopp’s intense pressing game. Leicester City winger Demarai Gray appears to be a strong transfer target for the club.
Klopp is reported to be considering a £12 million offer for Demarai Gray, and the club are confident that the 20-year-old will be making the move to Anfield in the summer when the transfer window opens in July (according to the Mirror) Signed from Birmingham for around £4 million in January 2016, Gray has been starved of starts. Even though he has featured in 29 league games this season, only nine have come from the start. The last time he completed 90 minutes of action was in the second week of February.
Gray is keen on moving elsewhere and trying his luck. However, it seems that his time at Birmingham has kept plenty of clubs interested in his services. Those clubs are ready to write down the last 18 months at Leicester City as a misfortune rather than a question of the player’s ability.
Liverpool are ready to take a punt on the player, as Klopp is confident enough in the player’s performances. In the 1000-odd minutes of action in the league, Gray has managed three assists and one goal. The strength of the 20-year-old is his immense pace, which helps them beat his marker quite easily. This facet would be extremely important for Liverpool, considering that the club may lose Daniel Sturridge in the summer. Even if Sturridge remains at Anfield, Gray would be a great addition to relieving Sadio Mane if the winger is in need of a rest.
Gray will be aware that he may not be a regular first choice player at Anfield straightaway. However, he will have much more opportunities at a new environment, especially considering that Leicester City are likely to retain Craig Shakespeare as the manager next season. If Gray stays at the King Power stadium, he may once again face a frustrating season on the sidelines. Gray’s best season has been the 2014-15 campaign when he scored six goals in 28 starts for Birmingham.
