Opinion: Should Liverpool sign this 20-goal ace to add more firepower to their attack?

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Liverpool must plot a summer swoop for Benfica’s Carlos Vinicius

In February, Portuguese outlet O Jogo (h/t Daily Star) had claimed Liverpool were interested in signing Benfica forward Carlos Vinicius.

Carlos Vinicius, 24, joined Benfica from Napoli last summer and has enjoyed a fantastic season in Portugal so far. He has racked up 15 goals and 4 assists in 22 Primeira Liga games so far. The striker, who has a €100m exit clause stuck in his contract, is tied to Benfica until summer 2024.

Benfica's Brazilian forward Carlos Vinicius celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese league football match between Boavista FC and SL Benfica at the Estadio do Bessa in Porto on December 6, 2019. (Getty Images)
Benfica’s Brazilian forward Carlos Vinicius celebrates after scoring a goal during the Portuguese league football match between Boavista FC and SL Benfica at the Estadio do Bessa in Porto on December 6, 2019. (Getty Images)

The report (h/t Daily Star) adds that the Liverpool scouts were in attendance to watch the Brazilian score twice against as his side suffered a 3-2 defeat rivals FC Porto.

Liverpool are raring to win the Premier League title this time around and are currently enjoying a whopping 25-point lead at the top of the table. Even though they tasted their first league defeat of the campaign to Watford at Vicarage Road last weekend, and were dumped out of the FA Cup by Chelsea, Klopp’s men are well on course to end their long title drought.

The Reds have arguably the best attack in Europe consisting of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Salah, Firmino and Mane have contributed hugely to Liverpool over the last few seasons, helping the club win the Champions League last season and also pick up the Club World Cup this term. The trio has been key to the club’s success, helping in their dominance under Jurgen Klopp.

Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp
Virgil van Dijk (R) walks with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (R). (Getty Images)

However, Divock Origi has failed to impress this season following his exploits in big games at the business end of the last campaign which earned him a new contract at Anfield. Xherdan Shaqiri has struggled with injuries this season, Adam Lallana is out of contract this summer and January signing Takumi Minamino is yet to find his feet in the Premier League.

Truly, Klopp’s Liverpool still lack depth in their attack. The German tactician will be without Salah and Mane due to their national duties.

That makes having a strong squad very important next season and the Reds boss should bring attacking reinforcements in the summer. To that end, the Merseysiders must make a move for Carlos Vinicius.

Vinicius has been scoring goals left, right and centre after joining Benfica on a free transfer in July 2019. He famously scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 routing of Marítimo. The 24-year-old has netted 20 goals and registered 12 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions so far this season, with Benfica just a point behind league leaders Porto in the table.

Liverpool
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on February 01, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

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The 24-year-old would certainly add firepower to Klopp’s attack and should be a good understudy for Firmino, who has enjoyed another fantastic campaign with Liverpool. Vinicius has proven himself in just a season with Benfica and there are chances of him establishing himself at a higher level under the guidance of Klopp.

Verdict

At the age of 24, the Brazilian is slowly heading into his prime and Liverpool could enjoy his best years if they manage to sign him in the summer.