Liverpool are on the verge of a second signing of the week as Federico Chiesa nears a move from Juventus ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Reds appeared to be heading towards the transfer deadline with no plans to do business.
Arne Slot’s side saw Martin Zubimendi reject a move to Anfield as he chose to stay with Real Sociedad.
Rather than go for another midfielder, Liverpool have now secured their first summer signing having landed goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Mamardashvili isn’t arriving this summer though having been loaned back to Villarreal for the 2024-25 season.
Liverpool are though set to add a signing who can make an impact this season as Slot adds another attacking option to his ranks.
Ryan Lowe on Liverpool move for Federico Chiesa
Liverpool have made their move to snap up winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus.
Chiesa is now close to joining Liverpool in a cut-price move as Juve look to sell inside the final year of his contract.
Chiesa dazzled at Euro 2020 but a serious knee injury in 2022 means the has struggled to hit those heights on a regular basis.
Liverpool are now ready to hand Chiesa a Premier League chance in the hope that he can find that form regularly at Anfield.
Chiesa is likely to come in as competition for Mohamed Salah down the right flank whilst also being able to on the left or even behind the striker.
One man who doesn’t seem entirely convinced by the move is Liverpool-mad manager Ryan Lowe.
Lowe, who recently left his post as Preston North End boss, hails from Liverpool and even started in the club’s ranks alongside Steven Gerrard.
Lowe has now spoken on Sky Sports Soccer Special (28/08, 19:15) and admitted that he would have rather seen Liverpool splash the cash on Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle United fans may not like that but Lowe believes Gordon would have been a player to come in and potentially start for Liverpool.
Lowe fears that Chiesa is just another squad player at Liverpool whereas Slot needs ‘better’ options in the final third in order to really take the Reds forward.
“If you’re asking me, I’d have gone out and paid the money for Anthony Gordon,” said Lowe. “I know the Newcastle fans won’t like that but the fact of the matter is, he’s one who’d be coming in and potentially being a starter. Backup players… I think Liverpool have done that in many years before.
“If he can stay fit and prove his fitness, then he’ll prove his worth but yeah, he’s definitely an addition to the squad. Everyone is talking him being a squad player, Liverpool don’t need squad players at the moment – they need starters. I know they’ve got the front three already, but they need better,” he added.
Anthony Gordon will remain on Liverpool radar
Gordon, just like Lowe, is a boyhood Liverpool fan and he would surely jump at the chance to make the move to Anfield.
In fact, Liverpool were interested in signing Gordon this summer.
Former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley admitted that Liverpool wanted Gordon but the Magpies stood firm.
“My biggest concern was that we’d lose Alex (Isak) or Anthony (Gordon) because Liverpool chased him and both are extraordinary players,” Staveley said. “Negotiating is tough because you have to pretend it means nothing to you when it means everything,” she added.
This is one rumour which won’t go away though and Jamie Carragher wants to see Gordon at Liverpool if a deal is possible.
Gordon is more of a left-sided winger and with lingering questions over Luis Diaz’s future, Liverpool will keep Gordon on the radar.
Newcastle won’t sell on the cheap but Lowe may well get wish of seeing Gordon in a Liverpool shirt one day down the line.