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Timo Werner, who is currently the face of RB Leipzig's title charge under Julian Naglesmann, has emerged as one of the stand-out forwards in European football in recent years and has subsequently caught the attention of big clubs across the continent.
The former VfB Stuttgart man was heavily linked with the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool last summer but all speculation came to an end after he pledged his commitment to Leipzig by signing a contract extension. While the Merseyside giants have re-ignited their pursuit of the forward in time for the January transfer window, their Bavarian counterparts have reportedly stepped out of the race.
Fellow Premier League titans, Chelsea, are also reported to be competing for the German's signature as Frank Lampard is keen on strengthening his squad after the club's transfer ban was reduced earlier this month.
The departure of the Bundesliga sensation is believed to be around the corner especially after Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche recently confirmed that the club have made an official bid for RB Salzburg star Erling Haaland.
Having said that, we take a look at three reasons why Liverpool should put in their best efforts to procure the services of Timo Werner in the upcoming transfer window.
#1 He would be perfect to supplement Liverpool's lethal front-three
Liverpool may boast of arguably the most-feared attacking trio in Europe but there have been growing concerns over their depth in the positions up-front and the strength of their bench in recent months.
While Daniel Sturridge has left Anfield after the expiration of his contract over the summer, the likes of Divock Origi, Rhian Brewster and Naby Keita are yet to reach the stage where they can start as viable options for the attacking positions without there being a decline in standards.
This is where a natural striker like Timo Werner comes into the picture - the German international shares a number of similarities with Jurgen Klopp's famed trio especially when it comes to his movement on the pitch. His versatility also makes him the perfect candidate if the club need to give one of their first-choice attackers a breather or replace any of them in case of injury. Furthermore, he would not only be providing the Reds with rotation options but he would also inject much-needed competition for the starting spots.
Werner's signing should be a priority if Liverpool want to maintain their lead in the Premier League and a player of his calibre could just be what they need to maintain their quality up-front in the absence of any of the front-three regulars.
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#2 He is a potent goal-scorer and could easily integrate into Liverpool's team
Werner is undoubtedly one of the most prolific goal-scorers in European football and has been in sublime form for RB Leipzig, racking up an astounding 21 goals and 9 assists in 23 league games so far this season.
The 23-year-old forward is young enough to be considered a long-term investment for Liverpool but is also experienced enough to handle the pressure that the Premier League demands. He already has three-and-a-half seasons with the Bundesliga leaders under his belt and has also been a part of Germany's FIFA World Cup squad last summer.
An academy product of VfB Stuttgart, Werner has proven himself to not only be a capable goal-scorer with sublime dribbling capabilities and a keen eye for goal but he is also accustomed to the high-pressing and fast-paced tactics that Jurgen Klopp employs at Anfield. These qualities would definitely ease his adaptation into the Reds' starting XI alongside the likes of Salah, Mane, and Firmino, giving the team an almost-immediate edge for the rest of the season.
A move to Merseyside would also see Werner reunite with Naby Keita, with whom he shared an amazing connection at Leipzig, and could serve as the beginning of another enticing partnership in the Premier League.
#3 His release clause makes him an attractive choice for most European clubs
Over the summer, Werner quelled all rumours of his departure from Leipzig by signing a contract extension that would keep him at the Red Bull Arena until 2023. While the decision implied that the centre-forward is keen on staying at Saxony, it interestingly included a release clause of just €30 million.
The meagre amount for a skilled and experienced professional like the Bundesliga sensation would be a bargain for any European powerhouse and is more than attainable for Champions League winners, Liverpool.
A player with Werner's versatility, proven goal-scoring prowess and experience would hardly go for anything less than €40 million in the modern market and, as such, Liverpool should opt to make the quality signing as soon as possible although a low release clause would mean the choice ultimately lies in the player.
