Early move for Benfica star just the tonic needed at Liverpool
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Most people assumed there wasn’t an awful lot for Liverpool to play for on the final day of the season, but their disastrous 6-1 loss at Stoke could have huge ramifications for the Reds.
Brendan Rodgers’ already tenuous grip on the managerial position at Anfield now seems even less secure, with fans revolting at the inauspicious send-off his team gave legend Steven Gerrard.
Anything less than a complete shellacking would likely have seen Liverpool limp into the summer without major changes, but the calls for Jurgen Klopp’s arrival have now reached fever pitch.
However, the Reds might well feel that an early signing could go some way to appeasing their disgruntled fanbase, and in Benfica star Eduardo Salvio, they might have the ideal target.
The Eagles are looking to sell both Salvio and Nicolas Gaitan quickly this summer to fund their own transfers, and there will be no shortage of takers for either winger.
The Argentine duo have been key to Benfica claiming the Portuguese Primeira Liga again this season – their first back-to-back title since 1984 – and both have been linked with moves all over Europe.
Liverpool, however, seem to have nudged to the front of the queue for Salvio, who would represent and excellent start to a vital summer in the transfer market for the Reds.
The former Atletico Madrid player has been at Benfica for three seasons since his permanent move to Portugal in 2012, having also spent the 2010/11 campaign at the club on loan from the Colchoneros.
Including his loan spell, Salvio has recorded 38 goals and 34 assists in his 149 appearances for Benfica, and this year has been his most productive yet.
The 24-year-old has bagged 13 goals and 11 assists in just 38 games to help add another league title to his glittering trophy cabinet.
In his short career already, Salvio has picked up two Portuguese titles and four domestic trophies with Benfica, two Europa League winners medals from his time at Atletico, and two runners-up gongs for the same competition with the Eagles.
After their poor end to the campaign saw them slip to sixth in the table, Liverpool are 12/1 to bounce back and win the Premier League next season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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