Liverpool have perfect €18m Roberto Firmino replacement ahead of January transfer window
From Cristopher Nkunku and Karim Adeyemi to Amine Gouiri and Jonathan David, Liverpool
have been linked with a plethora of potential attacking options to replace Roberto Firmino
in the future.
One name who is yet to be linked but could be an astute transfer option for Liverpool
as early as January is the Bologna forward, Musa Barrow.
The Gambian striker may not have been mentioned in relation to Liverpool just yet, but there
were whisperings of a Real Madrid transfer back in March, with a price of €18m cited.
Instead, Bologna's obligation to buy went through as expected, after a six-month loan
from Atalanta.
Barrow has averaged 0.55 goals and 0.55 assists per 90 minutes this season, combining for
a total of 1.10 goal contributions per 90.
That alone should be enough for Liverpool to take notice, but there is even more to
Barrow than meets the eye.
The 23-year-old fits Liverpool's profile in the sense that he is young and has abundant
potential.
He is also versatile, which is a key tactical trait of most of Jürgen Klopp's players at
Liverpool.
At various points throughout his career, Barrow has played on each flank, as a centre-forward,
a false no.9 and an attacking midfielder.
This is in the vein of Roberto Firmino prior to his arrival at Anfield.
Barrow shares an eerie resemblance to Liverpool's Brazilian no.9 in multiple respects.
Like Firmino, Barrow has the game intelligence to be able to adapt to various roles.
He also has the selflessness to play as a striker but create chances for his team-mates
instead of always looking to put the ball into the back of the net.
The Gambian international is comfortable on the ball.
He attempts 2.57 dribbles per 90 as per FBRef.
That's comparable to Firmino, who averages 2.32 dribbles per 90.
As well as their comfort on the ball, both are excellent at creating chances for their
team-mates.
Barrow averages 3.06 shot-creating actions per 90.
Meanwhile Firmino averages 3.39 per 90.
The range of goals they score is impressive, too.
Roberto Firmino has scored a plethora of outstanding strikes during his time at Liverpool and Hoffenheim,
and Barrow is in the same mould in his career to date.
He has already scored two goals from outside the box, and his shooting is one of his strengths.
"For me his fitness, and his shooting is his best trait.
I have never seen another play who shoots as well as him.
"He works on this a lot – that’s also his best quality, he is always working to
improve and get better," Luigi Sorrentino, the man who discovered Barrow in The Gambia
explained to First Time Finish.
Barrow's speed also gives him the edge over Firmino.
His underlying numbers have been quite solid, even beyond this season.
Since arriving at Bologna, he has averaged 0.68 goal contributions per 90, scoring 22
goals and registering 17 assists in 68 games.
He is still relatively young and with room to improve.
Sorrentino, who also acts as Barrow's agent, told First Time Finish the dream is to join
the Premier League in the future.
"Our dream is to go to the Premier League.
It’s the best league in the world and it’s the dream of most Gambians."
If Barrow continues his form this season, Liverpool should consider granting him the
dream.
It might even make sense to weigh up a transfer move as early as January, before other rivals
join Real Madrid in sniffing around for his services and driving up his value.