Liverpool are interested in signing Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman amid his uncertain future in Bergamo.
The Nigerian international, 27, missed a penalty in their shock Champions League exit to Club Brugge in midweek, with manager Gian Piero Gasperini not best pleased with him as a result. After the game, Gasperini said the winger was not supposed to take the penalty and claimed had a “frankly terrible record even in training”.
Ademola Lookman responded to the Atalanta manager’s comments on Thursday evening via Instagram, revealing it hurts being “singled out” and “deeply disrespectful” after being singled out by Gasperini. Lookman’s relationship with Gasperini has strained in the last 24 to 48 hours, with the player now eyeing an exit at the end of the season.
Liverpool are reportedly planning to take advantage of the tense situation at Atalanta by luring Lookman to Anfield as a potential replacement for Luis Diaz, who is been linked with Barcelona since 2024.
Luis Diaz could leave Liverpool this summer
Luis Diaz has scored 13 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season but has been in and out of the team under Arne Slot. The Dutch tactician has used the Colombian mostly as a false 9 in his system, which has not allowed him to flourish as much as he does out wide.
Diaz is of the belief that Slot does not value him as much as he deserves, and he is open to an exit at the end of the season. The Reds know the South American’s departure is a real possibility, as many clubs have expressed an interest in signing him, especially Barcelona. Should Diaz end his time at Anfield, the club chiefs would like to replace him with Lookman.
Ademola Lookman deserves another crack in the Premier League
Lookman had underwhelming spells with Everton, Leicester City and Fulham in the Premier League before he rejuvenated his career at Atalanta. Under Gasperini, he has established himself as one of the dangerous attackers in Serie A.
The African speedster has been enjoying another stellar season in Atalanta colours. He has bagged 15 goals and seven assists in 28 appearances across all competitions, including netting a consolation in the 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge at home in the Champions League. At 27, the Nigerian international is at the peak of his powers, and after proving himself in Serie A, he deserves a third bite at the cherry in the Premier League.
With his pace, dribbling skills, flair and end product, Lookman would be a solid potential replacement for Diaz. Having played as an inside forward in Gasperini’s 3-4-3/3-4-1-2 system, he will be able to operate as a false 9 efficiently under Slot if need to. Considering the creative talents at Anfield, the London-born talent could become even more potent and deliver stellar numbers.
All in all, Liverpool must not hesitate to go all out for Lookman’s signing.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
