Liverpool transfer news: Sassuolo’s most creative player opens the door to Anfield switch
Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi has revealed he would rather play for Liverpool than any other club.
The 24-year-old has nine goals and four assists in 35 appearances at club level this season and has mainly been deployed as a right-sided forward.
Could Berardi bolster Klopp’s frontline? Five things to know…
- Berardi has nine goals and four assists across all competitions this season.
- The five-time Italy international has created more chances in Serie A (56) than any other Sassuolo player.
- To date, Berardi is a one-club man, making over 220 appearances for Sassuolo.
- After being outscored 95-89 by City in Premier League, Klopp is likely to bolster his striking options this summer.
- Berardi has told Gazzetta dello Sport he would play for Liverpool if he were able to choose his next move.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are looking to add greater squad depth after they fell a point short of Manchester City in the 2018/19 title race.
Jurgen Klopp’s men racked up 97 points this season – the third-highest in Premier League history – and while the German can call upon Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, his back-up options are simply not on the same level.
This has ultimately cost Liverpool, with City outscoring them 95-89 thanks to having the riches of Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez to name along their forward line.
But with Klopp soon to turn his attention to the transfer market, Berardi has now opened the door to a potential Anfield move, although the Reds may also face competition from AC Milan.
Berardi told Gazzetta dello Sport (via Goal): “If an offer arrives, be it from Milan or another club, I will evaluate it with my club.
“And if I hear that it is the right proposal, this time I will say to Sassuolo: ‘I’ll take it’.
“Being able to choose, I would play in Liverpool.
“Changing remains difficult for me, but it no longer frightens me, I would do it.
“The next goal is to play in Europe, but at a club where I can be used a lot, if not always. That is my priority.”
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Berardi’s career so far
A graduate of Sassuolo’s academy, Berardi has made over 200 appearances for the club so far, showing incredible loyalty despite coming in for intense transfer speculation year in, year out.
The 24-year-old scored 11 goals in 37 league games during the 2012/13 campaign as Sassuolo won the Serie B title, with Berardi scooping the division’s Footballer of the Year award along the way.
Berardi has notched another 62 goals at club level since then and in 2014/15, sat level with the likes of Paulo Dybala and Marek Hamsik on a league-high 10 assists.
This form has helped him win five caps for Italy so far, all of which came in 2018, although he is yet to score his first international goal.
