Liverpool looks set to complete the hugely exciting transfer of Moisés Caicedo, but it’s a race against time to field him against fellow suitor Chelsea.
Liverpool are approaching the most unlikely deals. Taking decisive action overnight, FSG are set to become England’s transfer record holder, with a price tag of $140 million (£110 million/127 million euros) accepted for Moises Caicedo.
It is a definitive response to concerns that have been raised about Liverpool’s midfield situation ahead of the new season. All the more interesting when it is completed under the direction of Chelsea, who have been chasing Caicedo all summer.
With Liverpool beginning its Premier League campaign away at Stamford Bridge, there’s still just about time for the most satisfying twist of the lot, which would see Caicedo feature against Chelsea. But the clock is ticking, with the registration deadline looming.
After the final game of pre-season, Jürgen Klopp talked about finding a concrete solution for the Chelsea game before moving on to a more long-term plan afterwards. This is likely still the case:
Liverpool have until noon today to sign up whoever they want to bring over the weekend.
Even if Liverpool get the paperwork done in time, Klopp’s dismissal of Caicedo without training time is a huge call. That’s not how managers tend to operate, although the Brighton man’s current understanding of Alexis Mac Allister should make any transition easier.
But assuming Caicedo doesn’t make it in time, Liverpool could still launch an interesting starting line-up – if slightly off balance – against Chelsea. Klopp will have to adjust to try to avoid an open game like any pre-season, but whatever the change, it will likely be a team focused primarily on firepower.
A whole new midfield of Caicedo, Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai has beckoned for much of this season, but a familiar face will get the nod at Stamford Bridge. Chances are it’s Curtis Jones, who finished the last campaign at the base level and is likely to play the role of number six or so.
Perhaps it is most likely to share duties with the Mac Allister, with the duo forming a dual axis. With Caicedo properly integrated, Liverpool could return to something like a six with two eights up front, but the midfielder will need to make a huge collective defensive effort against Chelsea. .
Klopp’s decisions also don’t start and end in midfield. Defense can be more or less self-selected, but offense seems to be a dilemma throughout the campaign, with five great options all competing to choose from. Diogo Jota scored four goals in pre-season, and it feels like he’s played his role right from the start.
After all, Jota is also an assured choice in terms of defending from the front, having been dubbed a ‘pressing monster’ by Pep Lijnders in the past. Maybe Darwin Núñez will be one to benefit from the arrival of a specialist like Caicedo, who can perhaps buy him a little more leeway in terms of his off-the-ball work, but for the season opener he may well miss out.
If Jota starts, he is sure to be joined by Mohamed Salah, who posted a gargantuan seven assists across pre-season. Luis Díaz looks a good bet for the final slot.
