Liverpool are monitoring Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise to bolster their attacking options
Liverpool are planning to make a move for Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise to bolster their attacking department. The Reds are looking to add a forward that can immediately contribute but at the same time, replace Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool legend Salah is still thriving at the right-wing, leading the club’s goalscoring charts once again this season. However, at 31 years of age and with continuous interest from Saudi Pro League, the Reds need a plan.
Regardless of Salah’s future, Liverpool needs to access the attack line that has faced scrutiny for being too wasteful. The Reds have players with different strengths and specialities in their attacking department which helps in their unpredictability. Nevertheless, the department is surprisingly lacking a player with the flair to beat defenders and penetrate teams playing low-block tactics.
Liverpool failed to break down Manchester United as they parked the bus and faced similar issues against other clubs. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has deployed Salah in a different role, emphasizing more on his technique than dribbling and pace.
His new role has allowed him to thrive and maintain a high level of contribution, but the team is missing that flair. Meanwhile, Luis Diaz has struggled with form since returning from last season’s knee injury. This season, the Colombian has struggled to bypass defenders with ease and has faced frequent dispossessions.
Football Insider (h/t Liverpool Echo) reported that Liverpool’s recruitment team have dispatched their top scouts to observe Olise. The 22-year-old is a pivotal part of the Palace’s setup, showing outstanding form since returning from the hamstring injury.
Olise has made nine appearances for Palace in the Premier League, contributing with five goals and an assist. The 22-year-old is versatile enough to play at the right wing, in midfield and behind the main striker.
The France U21 has extremely good technical abilities, capable of taking set-pieces and free-kicks with pace and accuracy. He uses good decision-making, passive and movements to create an effective link-up play with his teammates.
Olise has the pace, agility and skills to ease past defenders and beat them one-on-one while being unpredictable. He can as easily go down the byline as exploit the channels and cut inside to create chances.
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The 22-year-old provides impeccable through ball and threatening deliveries from various angles that can create a goal threat. At such a young age, Olise has the maturity to use possession according to the requirements of his team. The French U21 also fulfils the homegrown quota, having been born in London and developed at Reading’s academy.
It seems unlikely that Palace would let Olise leave in the middle of the season, given his importance at the club. However, the 22-year-old can be a brilliant signing for Liverpool, whether it is in January or next summer. The player rejected Chelsea last summer and went on to pen an extension at Selhurst Park. Whether that is to our benefit remains to be seen.
