Liverpool urged to blow Arsenal out of the water by signing Coutinho alternative
Liverpool should concentrate their transfer efforts this summer on Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, according to former Reds striker John Aldridge.
The Eagles forward has attracted attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, having recently beeen linked with a potential move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
Will Zaha stay at Selhurst Park? Five things to know…
- Zaha has made 323 appearances for Crystal Palace across two spells, scoring 53 goals, and is a fans’ favourite.
- Palace full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s reported move to Manchester United could affect the Ivory Coast international’s future.
- Zaha is contracted to the south Londoners until 2023.
- Liverpool are reportedly interested in re-signing former playmaker Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.
- Aldridge believes Jurgen Klopp’s men should target Zaha over the former Anfield favourite.
Aldridge has stressed that Klopp should be targeting the three-time Crystal Palace Player of the Year winner this summer to add to his already clinical Reds frontline.
Citing Zaha’s previous performances against Liverpool across the past few seasons, Aldridge believes Zaha could thrive at Anfield if given the opportunity.
“Wilfried Zaha is the one I think he [Klopp] should go for,” Aldridge told Independent.ie.
“With Daniel Sturridge leaving the club and his huge wages coming off the weekly bill, it opens up the opportunity for Klopp to sign an out-and-out goalscorer who could offer something different if one of the front three is injured or out of form.
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“Zaha has given Liverpool some real problems in the last couple of years and Klopp’s ability to turn talents of his type into consistent performers has to make him the kind of player who could thrive at Anfield.”
Recent reports have linked Liverpool with Coutinho due to his unsuccessful stint at Barcelona, but Aldridge is adamant that the Merseysiders shouldn’t look to spend the vast majority of their transfer budget on a player who left the club under such disappointing circumstances.
Aldridge added: “Coutinho left on a sour note as he forced his way out of the club and while he is a great player, I don’t think Liverpool should blow their transfer budget on bringing him back.
“None of us have forgotten that Coutinho left Liverpool in a difficult position when he jumped ship mid-way through the season, so we should not give him a simple route back to play for the European champions.
“We all trust Klopp in whatever decisions he makes, but I think adding attacking a top quality attacking option would be the way forward this summer.”
