Liverpool have once again been linked with a move for Belgian teen sensation Jeremy Doku.

The Independent have suggested that the Anfield club are readying a £34m bid for the talented wideman.

Liverpool’s interest shouldn’t really come as a surprise, they were linked previously with the player. Doku supposedly turned them down in favour of staying at Anderlecht before moving to Stade Rennais FC in the belief he’d get more game time in his homeland and in Ligue 1 and continue to impress Reds boss Jurgen Klopp from afar (Source Liverpool Echo).

It certainly seems to have been a sound plan. Doku has suitably impressed with Les Rennais and his efforts there won him a spot in the Belgian Euro 2020 squad. Which in turn seems to have once again caught the attention of the Liverpool recruiting department.

The first thing that stands out when you watch Jeremy at work is his blistering pace! He can just speed past defenders and leave them in his wake. Speed is an attribute Klopp likes from his forward players and they don’t come much faster that Doku. It is interesting to note that the winger can usually provide pretty accurate crosses even when he hits his top speed.

In his maiden league season at Rennes, the attack minded player recorded just two goals and three assists. I can only see those stats improving within time. The Liverpool coaching team would fancy getting him now and moulding him from this young age and watching him become a world class talent in Merseyside, he certainly carries that potential.

As well as his electrifying pace, the youngster is also direct and has great close control too. This makes him even harder to defend against.

The internationalist can also operate on either wing. This will again impress Mr Klopp, who loves his players to be versatile enough to play in various positions.

His 83% passing success rate is also impressive when you consider the area in which he plays and his age. Jeremy was also averaging 3.7 dribbles per Ligue 1 game last term (Stats via Whoscored).

The young player impressed in the summer, with British pundit Micah Richards picking him out for special praise after Belgium’s loss to Italy:

Doku was scintillating and he didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.”

Via Sky Sports

I can definitely see what is attracting Liverpool to Doku. He has all the tools needed to become an elite forward. At just nineteen, they’d be getting a player still eager to learn and be moulded into what Jurgen Klopp wants from his attackers. They’d also be getting him at a decent price.

Will the move happen this summer?

Well if the Reds make an concrete offer, then it will be a huge call for Jeremy Doku to make.

On one hand he still hasn’t truly proven himself in France. Spending another year there, getting more games, goals and assists would bring his game along tremendously. He could really establish himself in Ligue 1 and then be ready for the rigours of the Premier League.

On the other hand, can he really turn down Klopp and Liverpool again? Would they comeback a third time? He’d learn a lot from seeing and training with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah everyday.

My gut says it won’t happen this summer but we shall just have to wait and see. Plus whatever happens he’s definitely a player to keep your eye on!

Posted on August 10th, 2021 by scott
Filed under: Article