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Liverpool’s strike partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge has impressed many this season, with the duo nicknamed ‘SAS’ scoring 14 Premier League goals between them already. With Liverpool now settling in to a two-striker system, Brendan Rodgers may be wise to look to the transfer market to add more depth to his attack.
Hoffenheim forward, Kevin Volland, could be the perfect fit for Rodgers’ side.
Starting his senior career at 1860 Munich, Volland scored 20 goals in 57 games. At the end of the 2011-12 campaign, he joined Hoffenheim, where he has continued to develop significantly. He has impressed in the youth ranks at international level for Germany, including seven goals in 14 games for the under-21 side.
Volland’s Bundesliga goals this season
Volland is naturally a striker, but he can also play on the right wing or behind the striker. He loves to dribble with the ball, and in that sense can be likened to Luis Suarez. His tricky style of play draws a number of fouls, with 26 in just nine games this season, making him the third most fouled player in the Bundesliga. Having completed 24 take ons at a success rate of 69%, Volland has successfully beat more players this season than Sturridge and Suarez combined. Considering the Uruguayan’s dribbling prowess in particular, that is no mean feat.
A 65% pass success rate, however, is something Volland would have to improve on to be successful in Liverpool’s fluent system. Sturridge and Suarez are both comfortable on the ball, and it’s their passing ability that has played a key part in the partnership’s success, with both strikers have averaging a 79% accuracy.
Volland needs to imrpove his pass accuracy
With five league goals already to his name this season, 21-year-old Volland has impressed many top clubs around Europe with his finishing, passing and dribbling. The hard working forward is known for picking out the eye of the needle pass and creating chances. He’s already provided 28 key passes this season, the second most in the Bundesliga and almost double Suarez and Sturridge combined. Volland is showing rapid signs of improvement, already having scored just one less league goal than last season, and conducting key passes on a much more frequent basis.
While Volland is not going to steal the show from Suarez or Sturridge just yet, the 21-year-old has plenty of potential and could provide an excellent rotation option for the club. His creativity and dribbling skills mean he would offer something different to the Liverpool side. He’s certainly an option worth considering for Rodgers, especially if he is looking to improve his attack in the near future. The German won’t come cheap though, with any transfer likely to cost in excess of £15 million.
