According to statistics, Liverpool’s decision to sign Darwin Nez is less of a risk than Manchester City’s signing of Erling Haaland.
Liverpool and Manchester City have taken precautions to ensure that they remain ahead of the competition next season. Over the last five years, the two clubs have towered over the rest of the Premier League, and they were by far the best in the league last year.
But neither is content to rest on their laurels. City made the first move, signing Erling Haaland at the end of May after triggering his release clause. After Sadio Mané told the club that his time with the Reds had come to an end, Liverpool retaliated by signing Darwin Nez from Benfica.
The two strikers are a radical departure from previous protests. Both Haaland and Nunez will make City and Liverpool more focused on attack, as they are more akin to traditional no.9s than Mané or Gabriel Jesus.
At this point, it’s impossible to predict which of the two strikers will head to England right away. A player may require time to adjust to a new country, language, and way of working.
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes Nez is the bigger gamble, believing that Liverpool will need to rely on his goals more than City will on Haaland’s.
“Manchester City may not rely on Haaland as much as Liverpool will on Nez to score goals,” Fowler speculated. “So I can see Nez as more of a risk.”
“Regardless of Haaland’s presence at City, I believe they have other players who can score goals.” Despite the fact that they are most likely similar players, the teams are completely different.
“To be honest, it’s probably a bit of a risk. Any player who joins any club is taking a risk. It’s a risk I’m more than willing to take.”
Is this, however, always the case?
Listen to “Blood Red Reaction Special: Mohamed Salah signs contract extension with Liverpool until 2025” on Spreaker.
A look at City’s figures from last season demonstrates that this is simply not the case. With 15 goals, Kevin de Bruyne was City’s top scorer in the Premier League. Raheem Sterling had 13 goals, Riyad Mahrez had 11, Phil Foden had nine, and lkay Gündoan had eight.
City’s £100 million signing a year ago, Jack Grealish, scored three goals — three!
The contrast is stark at Liverpool, where Mohamed Salah scored 23, Mané 16, and Diogo Jota 15. (Premier League only).
Fowler’s argument does not hold up. Of course, Mané will not be at Anfield next season, but Luis Daz will likely score more in his first full season, Salah and Jota will remain, and we could see the rebirth of Roberto Firmino, especially if Jürgen Klopp switches formation as has been speculated and the Brazilian can stay fit for longer periods.
Manchester City is losing Sterling, has already lost Jesus to Arsenal, and may lose Bernardo Silva before the end of the season, so they will be more reliant on Haaland than Liverpool will be on Nez.
Of course, we can’t predict how both will perform in England, but even if Nez doesn’t hit the ground running, Salah, Jota, Daz, and Firmino should be enough to cover for him.
Can the same be said of Haaland in City? Pep Guardiola, not Jürgen Klopp, should be concerned about his team’s forward line next season.
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