#5 Julian Draxler
When Liverpool signed Sadio Mane from Southampton in the summer, it was a much-needed injection of pace into the side and the Senegalese has been absolutely outstanding for the Reds ever since. However, he has been the only pace option in the side with academy graduate Sheyi Ojo the only other option.
Therefore, once teams understood Liverpool’s attacking style to win the ball high up the pitch and break with pace, they started playing deep to deny Mane space to beat defenders with his blistering pace.
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The issue compounded when Mane left to participate in the African Cup of Nations in January, which unsurprisingly coincided with Liverpool’s slump in form. Neither Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino possess the pace required, and the pace that strikers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi have were not useful as both suffered a loss in form as well. In these situations, late in games, and during Mane’s absence, Liverpool would have benefitted with another winger in the ranks.
Also Read: 5 things Jurgen Klopp needs to do to ensure Liverpool are title contenders next season
Julian Draxler is the player who would have ticked all the boxes. If not in the summer, he would have been a valuable addition to the squad to provide pace and skill on one side, while acting as an injection of freshness to the squad in a title challenge.
In fact, Liverpool tried to procure his services in January when he was looking for a way out, only for Paris Saint-Germain to sign him. His impact at the French club was immediate as seen in the league and highlighted in the Champions League home tie against Barcelona where he starred alongside Angel Di Maria.
The lack of pace in the team, barring Sadio Mane, has proved to be a major problem this season given Liverpool’s style of play and signing Draxler would have definitely addressed that issue.
