Liverpool Opinion: Signing Max Kruse for free could prove to be a massive bargain for the Reds
According to Metro, Liverpool are interested in signing out-of-contract Bundesliga veteran Max Kruse from Werder Bremen on a free transfer in the summer window, with manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly looking to bolster his squad.
Metro understands that the Reds boss is keen to sign a replacement for Daniel Sturridge, who is set to depart the club on a free transfer after spending six-and-a-half years at Anfield.
Liverpool, however, are likely to face stiff competition from Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in their pursuit of the 31-year-old soon-to-be free-agent. (h/t Metro)
Kruse has enjoyed yet another prolific season in the German top-flight, finishing the campaign with 11 goals and 9 assists to his name to propel Werder Bremen to an 8th-place finish in the league.
The 31-year-old is amongst the household names in the Bundesliga, having featured for the likes of FC St. Pauli, Borussia Monchengladbach, Freiburg, Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen over the course of his illustrious and distinguished career in Germany.
Kruse has an awe-inspiring record in the Bundesliga, having accumulated a staggering 74 goals and 68 assists in 250 appearances for all clubs.
However, the veteran might be set for a move away from Germany for the first time in his career, with Liverpool interested in bringing him to the Premier League on a free transfer. Still only 31, the German international has plenty to offer at the highest level, as evident from the numbers that he racked up for Bremen this past season.
Kruse has carved out a massive reputation for himself as one of the best playmaking forwards in European football over the years. It is difficult to find natural goalscorers with such parity in the numbers of goals and assists but Kruse is one of those attackers who contributes with his finishing, as well as his creativity.
He has been used to good effect as a supporting striker in a No.10 role throughout his career, whilst essentially being a centre-forward by trade.
The 31-year-old, who has 4 goals in 14 international appearances for Germany, is known for his solid well-rounded attributes as a playmaking forward. Noted for his tireless pressing and hardworking nature on and off the ball, Kruse is at his best when he is spraying passes all over the park to link up with his teammates.
Blessed with incredible levels of footballing intelligence and remarkable speed of thought, Kruse uses his creativity and vision to work the half-spaces between the full-backs and the centre-backs.
The 31-year-old runs the channels and opens up the opposition with his clever touches and smart movement in and around the penalty area, often using his physicality to hold the ball up and bring others into the game.
To sum it up, the German is a very mobile forward who is at his best when assigned a free roaming role in the attacking third. There are hardly any weaknesses in his game and he has all the ammunition in his repertoire to make a positive impact anywhere in the world.
To put things into perspective, signing Max Kruse could provide Liverpool with an ideal back-up for Roberto Firmino. Both are similar kinds of playmaking forwards and Kruse’s experience could hand the Reds a massive boost in their pursuit of silverware.
Divock Origi’s Champions League heroics against Barcelona earned him a new deal but it is pretty apparent that Klopp still wants to add a little bit more to his forward line, and quite understandably so, given that the Belgian has a habit of blowing hot and cold.
Moreover, Kruse is head and shoulders above the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Origi, both in terms of quality and experience, and he is very much capable of playing a high-intensity pressing game, which should make him a picture-perfect addition to Liverpool’s ranks.
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Liverpool fell short of Man City by the smallest of margins in pursuit of their first domestic title since 1990 but the Reds still have a chance of capping off a remarkable season with silverware if they manage to beat Spurs in the Champions League finals. Nevertheless, the acquisition of Max Kruse for free could prove to be a massive steal for the Reds.
