Anfield Transfer Buzz: Liverpool Eyes £70m Star as ‘Ideal Successor’ to Henderson
In a surprising turn of events, Liverpool’s failure to secure the signing of Chelsea’s attacking midfielder, Mason Mount, has left Redmen TV presenter Ste Hoare disappointed but far from underwhelmed. While Mount has emerged as a reported target for Manchester United this summer, Hoare believes he would have been an exceptional replacement for Jordan Henderson at Anfield.
Earlier reports suggested that Mount was a top priority for Liverpool, according to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. However, recent information from The Athletic indicates that the Englishman is now leaning towards a move to United. Furthermore, Chelsea’s asking price of £70m for the player, as reported by the Evening Standard, adds another layer of complexity to the situation, considering Mount’s contract will expire soon.
Hoare expressed his disappointment with Liverpool missing out on Mount, stating, “I was very disappointed when that news came out. I know not everyone agrees and there was some talk about Mason Mount being a bit underwhelming, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I think he would have been perfect for what Liverpool want in one of those number eight roles, probably replacing Jordan Henderson on the right side with Alexis Mac Allister on the left side. I think that would have been ideal for us.”
Assessing Mount’s potential as Henderson’s successor, it becomes clear why Hoare holds him in such high regard. The 24-year-old England international possesses valuable Premier League experience and exhibits the playing style that aligns with Jürgen Klopp’s preferences. Mount’s off-the-ball abilities are exceptional, with statistics from FBref placing him in the 87th percentile for tackles among attacking midfielders and wingers in the past year. This attribute makes him an attractive option for Liverpool’s pressing style of play.
In addition to his defensive contributions, Mount has demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess and creative abilities, netting 10 goals and providing 10 assists in the Premier League last season, as reported by Transfermarkt. While his offensive output might have been slightly diminished in a deeper role at Liverpool, these figures underline his potential impact in the final third.
However, it appears that Liverpool will need to explore alternative options for Henderson’s long-term successor. Mount’s reported preference for Manchester United and Chelsea’s current asking price, considering his contract situation, create obstacles that prove difficult to overcome. Despite the missed opportunity, Ste Hoare’s admiration for Mount’s skill set and potential contribution at Anfield remains undeterred.