Solanke deal & firm summer targets make Liverpool title contenders
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While Chelsea dominated the Premier League last term, there was little to separate the chasing pack, with fourth-placed Liverpool averaging a healthy two points per game.
And with the Reds on the cusp of some impressive summer business, we think they can mount a genuine title challenge in 2017-18.
They’ve already added one of the country’s brightest teenage talents in the form of former Chelsea prodigy Dominic Solanke.
The lightning-quick striker impressed in Premier League 2 last term, and showed he’s already got the attributes for senior football, scoring seven times in the Eredivisie for Vitesse Arnheim in 2015-16.
Not only is he a gifted young player, but with the Reds’ game – especially away from home – focused on devastating counter-attacks, his ball control and speed make him the ideal fit.
However, the signing of Mohamed Salah – believed to be all-but-confirmed – would provide an even bigger boost to the Reds.
The winger directly contributed to 34 goals for Roma last term, netting 19 and providing 15 assists. And with Liverpool currently lacking strength-in-depth on that flank, he’d be a practical – as well as an exciting – addition.
Jurgen Klopp certainly seems to have received the keys to a transfer war chest, with the Reds also frontrunners for RB Leipzig hitman Timo Werner, whose style makes him a natural successor to the gifted but injury-prone Daniel Sturridge.
Werner struck 21 times in the Bundesliga in 2015-16, and the German’s stocky physique means he would adapt to the demands of the Prem without any trouble.
Another of Die Bullen’s young stars, Naby Keita has also reportedly been targeted, with the Guinea midfielder displaying fine distribution and a tough-tackling edge in Germany.
But while those deals are currently up in the air, our traders think the signing of Virgil van Dijk looks to be more or less a sure-thing, offering 4/7 for the move to take place this summer. And he could be the most important piece of all in the Anfield jigsaw.
The Reds’ Achilles heel last term was their defence, who shipped 42 goals – comfortably the highest total in the top four – and 15 more than sixth—placed Manchester United.
Oh, and they’re 11/4 favourites to snap up Alexandre Lacazette this summer.
If they get even half of the transfer targets listed above, the 12/1 on Liverpool lifting the Premier League next term will look extremely generous indeed.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the day of publishing
