Liverpool handed boost in pursuit of £67.5m-rated Coutinho replacement

Liverpool are reportedly on “red alert” over the possibility of signing Real Madrid superstar Isco.

What’s the story?

According to Calciomercato, both Liverpool and Juventus are hoping to sign Isco after the playmaker was left out of Real Madrid’s squad to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

The Champions League winners welcomed their arch-rivals to Madrid on Wednesday for the second leg of their Copa del Rey clash, but Isco was once again left out.

The 26 year-old hasn’t started a match since January 16, and has started just five La Liga matches in total this season.

The aforementioned report claims both Liverpool and Juventus have “been given hope” of signing the Spaniard and that “his future has never looked so much far away from Madrid”.

Coutinho replacement?

Valued at a whopping £67.5m by Transfermarkt, Isco’s production in front of goal this season has simply not been good enough, scoring just four times and even worse for the crafty playmaker assisting a goal only once.

That said, this is due mainly to a lack of structure in the Madrid side, a lack of consistent playing time for the ex-Malaga ace and some struggles with injuries as well (he has missed four games through Appendicitis and four games with back problems).

When fully fit and firing, Isco could be the perfect player to slot into that advanced position in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, an area Liverpool have struggled to add creativity and goals to since Philippe Coutinho’s departure.

His dribbling, close control, vision and passing would all open up more space for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino to exploit, and the work horses in the Liverpool midfield can more than cover his defensive deficiencies.

If Isco is truly on the move this summer then he would be the perfect Coutinho replacement for the Reds.

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/2Tjo6cU