Harry Wilson has outdone himself once again after already getting off the mark for new club Cardiff City. The Wales international joined the Bluebirds on transfer deadline day as part of another Michael Edwards masterstroke.
According to The Athletic, Liverpool struck a deal with Cardiff that involves Wilson’s entire wage packet covered, plus a loan fee of £1million. The move came late after the Reds seemingly changed their tactics last minute, following a struggle to cash in on the Welshman permanently.
However, there’s a good chance it could all be a clever ruse to send Wilson off once last time in order to impress Jurgen Klopp. As it stands, Gini Wijnaldum will be leaving the club next summer and will leave a space to fill in midfield. Could the 23-year-old finally be staring at his chance to break into the first team full-time?
Wilson could replace Wijnaldum at Liverpool
The versatile winger came back to haunt former side Bournemouth in their latest meeting. The two Championship sides shared the spoils on Wednesday after Wilson cancelled out ex-Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke’s goal. His strike at his new home ground takes his tally up to 33 goals scored whilst on loan from Liverpool (via Transfermarkt).
Wilson has made just two senior appearances for the Merseyside outfit, falling way behind the progress of younger players like Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold. After Liverpool made it clear that they were looking to offload the forward for good, his time at the club looked to be coming to an end. But this recent surprise loan move could be a huge curveball to what Wilson was expecting.
Should Wijnaldum leave next year, Klopp will need to look for a midfielder who can contribute to Liverpool’s fast-paced, high intensity style of play. As highlighted by Sofascore, Wilson can play on either wing as well as in midfield. He took on the No.10 role in his first appearance for Cardiff, which could be his new calling after bagging a goal on his debut.
With Xherdan Shaqiri’s future also looking uncertain, there’s the opportunity to provide cover for Mohamed Salah on the right-wing.
Wilson established himself as a mean free-kick taker during his time with Derby and could bring something new to Liverpool’s attack. The Reds have lacked long-range chances since Philippe Coutinho left the club and the Wales international could be the answer to adding that trait to Klopp’s locker once again.
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