
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson sees Raul Jimenez as an upgraded Roberto Firmino with more attacking power. Ready to cheer for Liverpool to join the team.
The Reds will have to think hard about the loss of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, two of the key forwards who will travel to serve their country in the Africa Cup of Nations. Next month, which could be a month long wait if both nations make it to the finals, which is likely to be the case.
In Merson’s view, Jimenez is believed to be the right choice as he is a striker in the same vein as Firmino, who fit well into the team’s top three. but has superior goal-breaking efficiency
“Liverpool needed a centre-forward like Raul Jimenez in January – not just to come in for a fix during the African Nations Cup,” Merson told the Daily Star.
“They need someone to come in with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah away, yes, but I think they need someone for the future.”
“They need players who can put pressure on the front three and help them continue to win the league over the next several years. It’s not a good idea to come second in the next five years.”
“Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are very good players. But I still think they need the right striker and if they bring in Jimenez he can play.”
“He is a bigger version of Firmino who will score more goals. He can play short ball and has vision. And he play with Jota for a long time at Wolves.
“He doesn’t need to play every week. But he got the chance to play, Liverpool have a lot of games in the season and he will give something different to the team.