Liverpool have been linked with a move for Belgian winger Jeremy Doku according to recent reports in France.
🥇| Suggests Liverpool are in for Jeremy Doku. [@MohamedTERParis] https://t.co/EVBoyyjJp4
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 26, 2023
With the expiry of Roberto Firmino’s contract and Fabio Carvalho securing a loan move to RB Leipzig next season, Liverpool could look into the transfer market to reinforce their attacking options.
This has led to speculation surrounding the club, linking them with a move for Stade Rennais right-winger Jeremy Doku.
The Reds have previously been linked with a move for the 21-year-old over recent years, but a concrete move for the player never materialised.
Doku made 35 appearances for the French side across all competitions last season, scoring seven goals and assisting another four.
Since moving from Anderlecht in 2020, the youngster has scored eleven goals and assisted ten in 90 appearances.
The forward has also been ever-present in the Belgium international setup, representing them at every age group from Under-15’s to the first-team.
In the first-team, he has managed two goals in 14 appearances in total, as well as impressing at the Euros not too long ago.
Why Jeremy Doku?
Jeremy Doku is a perfect fit as a backup option to Mohamed Salah on the right-hand side of Liverpool’s front three.
The Belgian mainly operates as an inside forward, cutting in onto his favoured left foot from the right.
Doku is incredibly pacy and direct, which has become an expected trait of a Jurgen Klopp wide player.
He is also incredible at driving his team forward and finding himself in promising goalscoring positions.
Here are some of his attacking stats that prove that point:
- Progressive carries per 90- 6.95
- Succesful take-ons per 90- 6.59
- Touches in the attacking penalty area per 90- 6.12
- Progressive passes received per 90- 10.71
There have been some questions surrounding Doku’s end product when it comes to the end of an attacking build-up.
However, when looking at his statistics per 90 minutes it doesn’t look so bad at all.
- Goals per 90- 0.35
- Shots per 90- 1.88
- Shots on target % per 90- 37.5%
- Goals per shot on target per 90- 0.50
One negative of Doku’s playing style by looking at his numbers, is his passing ability and contributing to the build-up phase of play.
In fairness, Liverpool’s wingers often aren’t expected to drop deep and contribute to the build-up as that has always been Roberto Firmino or Cody Gakpo’s job.
Either way, it’s certainly an area Doku would need to work on should Liverpool make a move for the 21-year-old.
- Attempted passes per 90- 35.96
- Completed passes per 90- 29.49
- Pass completion %- 82%
The financial benefits:
The most likely reason behind Liverpool’s linked move for the forward is because of the value-for-money that the player has.
A move for the Belgium international would likely only cost around £18 million, meaning the move could be completed alongside the signings of more midfield players and a defender if the club are willing to be ambitious this summer.
These links between Liverpool and Doku only started as the news that Liverpool had pulled out of the race for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, who would have cost around £30 million.
I believe that this could be a really smart purchase by the Reds considering the small price he is available for, but there are also the likes of Wilfred Gnonto – available for the same price.
