Liverpool Eyeing 19-gool “Magician” Who Could Be Their Most Creative CM Since Coutinho
Jurgen Klopp concluded his tenure at Anfield on a high note. The revered German coach guided Liverpool back into the Champions League with a top-four finish in the Premier League and secured the Carabao Cup, despite dealing with significant injuries.
Although the Reds experienced a slump in performance towards the end of the season, which knocked them out of the FA Cup and Europa League and ended their involvement in a close title race, the overall achievement is notable given the difficulties of the 2022/23 season.
Arne Slot, the new head coach for Liverpool, has been diligently working over the past few months to rejuvenate the team, marking the start of a new chapter. According to a transfer insider, the Dutch coach is poised to make his first summer signing.
Italian sources indicate that Liverpool are closely monitoring Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, who is anticipated to leave Parkhead this summer.
The playmaker has attracted attention from various European clubs, but Liverpool’s ownership group, FSG, could now be leading the race to secure his transfer, which is expected to cost around £30 million.
How Matt O’Riley Could Benefit Liverpool
O’Riley joined Celtic in January 2022 for a modest fee of £1.5m after activating his release clause with MK Dons. Brendan Rodgers has commended the Denmark international for his “phenomenal consistency,” suggesting he could be a valuable addition to a Liverpool squad undergoing changes.
Standing at 6 foot 2, the 23-year-old midfielder earned the Hoops’ Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year titles due to his significant role in their double-winning season. Talent scout Jacek Kulig even described him as a “magician.”
With 19 goals and 18 assists across all competitions, Liverpool scouts are hopeful that the Fulham academy graduate’s effectiveness will carry over to the Premier League. His stats in the Scottish Premiership clearly show he has the comprehensive skillset needed for success.
His playmaking talents might position him as the most creative midfielder at Liverpool since Philippe Coutinho.
While the £14k-per-week player still has a long way to go to match Coutinho at his peak, his style makes him well-suited to the No. 10 role under Slot’s guidance.
| Matt O’Riley (23/24) vs Philippe Coutinho (17/18) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | Matt O’Riley | Philippe Coutinho |
| Matches | 37 | 14 |
| Goals | 18 | 7 |
| Assists | 13 | 6 |
| Pass completion | 83% | 79% |
| Key passes per game | 2.5 | 2.9 |
| Dribbles per game | 1.0 | 2.8 |
| Tackles per game | 1.7 | 1.2 |
| Duels won per game | 4.6 | 5.6 |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Rodgers has shown admiration for some of football’s best attacking pairs, noting the impressive synergy between Liverpool’s Coutinho and Luis Suarez.
He also commended the current partnership between O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi in Glasgow, suggesting that O’Riley has the skills to become one of the Premier League’s top creators, potentially forming an exciting connection with Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, and others.
Acquiring O’Riley carries some risk, but his strong performances in the Champions League, especially against Real Madrid in 2022 as highlighted by journalist Guillem Balague, indicate he could be a valuable addition.
Now, Liverpool just need to take the first step…
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