Arne Slot walked into Kirkby with a broad smile on his face. The Liverpool manager appeared relaxed, bearing the ease of someone familiar with the picturesque blue harbourside of Rotterdam, a view he often enjoyed during his successful period as Feyenoord’s head coach.
For Liverpool and their countless fans, this marked the start of a new chapter, as life after Jurgen Klopp began to take shape following several weeks of relative quiet. Now, the real work begins at Anfield, aiming to build on the 2023/24 season’s promise and assemble a squad capable of launching a successful new era.
Although Liverpool boast an abundance of quality players, there are several critical issues to address in the transfer market. Slot’s revelation that he has been in frequent discussions about transfers with sporting director Richard Hughes in recent weeks is a positive sign.
Liverpool’s main priority appears to be signing a centre-back, but it is also evident that they are in the market for a top-tier wide forward.
Mohamed Salah seems set to remain at Liverpool for the first year under Slot, but with the 32-year-old Egyptian’s contract expiring in 12 months, it is clear that the club needs to bring in fresh talent for the right wing.
According to Football Transfers, Liverpool have entered the highly competitive race to sign Crystal Palace star Michael Olise. The revamped Reds are attempting to conduct their transfer business discreetly this summer, and Olise is on their shortlist, alongside Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven.
Olise renewed his contract at Selhurst Park after Chelsea’s interest last year, with a £60 million release clause required to trigger his sale.
Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Bayern Munich are all vying for the Premier League phenom’s signature. However, FSG may improve their chances by accelerating their interest, potentially tipping the odds in Anfield’s favor.
Olise’s 2023/24 campaign statistics present a complex picture. On one side, the Eagles phenom is injury-prone, having appeared only 19 times in the Premier League last season, with 14 starts.
Conversely, he’s one of Europe’s most thrilling and impactful forwards. Despite his limited time on the field, Olise scored ten goals and contributed six assists, igniting excitement in English football. Talent scout Jacek Kulig even described him as “one of the EPL’s best players” when fully fit.
In the 2022/23 season, Olise scored just two league goals in 37 appearances but tallied 11 assists. Last season, he displayed remarkable improvement, enhancing and perfecting every aspect of his skill set.
| Michael Olise: Premier League 22/23 vs 23/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistic | 22/23 | 23/24 |
| Matches played | 37 | 19 |
| Matches started | 31 | 14 |
| Goals | 2 | 10 |
| Assists | 11 | 6 |
| Goal/assist rate | 0.35 | 0.84 |
| Pass completion | 78% | 83% |
| Big chances created | 11 | 9 |
| Shots per game | 1.4 | 3.0 |
| Key passes per game | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Dribbles per game | 1.5 (48%) | 2.1 (55%) |
| Duels won per game | 5.4 (49%) | 5.7 (50%) |
| Stats via Sofascore | ||
One of the most remarkable aspects of Olise’s development is that he hasn’t drastically transformed every part of his game; rather, his combativeness, creativity, and ball-carrying skills have been refined and elevated.
This improvement highlights Olise’s exceptional performance level. Moving to Liverpool, the aspiring France international would bring a dynamic and versatile style that could significantly benefit Slot’s team. Pundit Micah Richards has even predicted that “he’s going to become a superstar,” labeling him a “world-class” talent.
He fits the profile that Liverpool has been pursuing for a while. Although FSG missed out on Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala is still a long-term target, securing a deal with Crystal Palace could bring a player of his caliber and playing style to Anfield.
A Musiala & Bellingham Hybrid
Musiala and Bellingham are best regarded as attacking midfielders. They excel at playing off the center-forward, scoring goals, and providing assists. They influence the game significantly with their skillful and dynamic performances.
Both players, however, are not limited to one position, much like Olise, who typically operates on the right wing but has also excelled centrally and on the opposite flank. Interestingly, they share similarities with the French star, as noted by FBref.
The crucial point here is that the 22-year-old possesses a skill set that Liverpool have closely scouted, examining scouting reports on Bellingham and Musiala. While Slot may be a new face in the dugout, he still requires a successor to Salah, and Olise could fit the bill.
| 23/24 League Stats: Olise, Musiala, Bellingham | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statistic (per 90) | Olise | Musiala | Bellingham |
| Matches played | 19 | 24 | 28 |
| Matches started | 14 | 20 | 27 |
| Goals | 0.70 | 0.51 | 0.74 |
| Assists | 0.42 | 0.26 | 0.23 |
| Shot-creating actions | 5.77 | 5.44 | 3.85 |
| Progressive passes | 5.49 | 5.13 | 7.63 |
| Progressive carries | 4.79 | 5.28 | 3.31 |
| Successful take-ons | 2.82 | 4.46 | 1.95 |
| Ball recoveries | 4.79 | 4.59 | 4.67 |
| Stats via FBref’s Player Comparison tool | |||
Referencing the table above, Olise stands out against two of football’s top current offensive midfielders, demonstrating superior playmaking and energy in ball recovery.
While Musiala may have an edge in dribbling – Lothar Matthaus, a Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner, believes he could become the Messi of the future. And indeed, Jude Bellingham is currently the most valuable player in world football according to the CIES Football Observatory. However, Olise is proving himself capable of matching these emerging giants punch for punch.
Liverpool must secure his signature. Michael Edwards, FSG’s CEO of Football, will undoubtedly seek maximum value in the transfer market in the coming months. Look no further, Mike – Olise is a player destined for greatness. Bring him to Anfield.
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