Aston Villa are stressing over an Ollie Watkins exit – Liverpool interested
Ollie Watkins has really made a name for himself as a top striker in the Premier League and because of this Liverpool and other top sides are showing an interest in him.
Liverpool are said to be monitoring and keeping close tabs on Aston Villa’s hitman, Ollie Watkins. The player, who joined Aston Villa in the summer, has enjoyed a breakout season in the Premier League.
"Liverpool are interested in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, Football Insider can reveal.The Merseysiders are in the market for a new forward this summer who can strengthen an attack that has regularly misfired this season.A Liverpool source has told Football Insider that the club are keeping tabs on Watkins less than a year after he became Villa’s record signing. (Via: footballinsider247.com)"
Consistently great performances assert moves to bigger clubs
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The striker has not only lit the EPL alight with his blistering pace, excellent finishing, and awareness in the box – but also the fact he has stayed fit for all of Villa’s league outings.
Watkins has been available for selection every game, missing not a single minute of English top-flight football. In his 32 games he has played, he has come away with the goods 12 times. His best? A hat-trick against the champions of England, Liverpool.
Since then, Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment team have had their eyes on the former Brentford outfielder. He was part of the biggest upset of the campaign – when the Villian’s totally annihilated them inside Villa Park 7-2.
His total against Klopp’s side is four for the season. He scored the only goal of the game for Aston Villa in their 2-1 loss at Anfield in early April this year.
These displays including his time in the Championship has the manager Jurgen Klopp speaking highly of him – showing a lot of admiration for the youngster.
"They are good, they are really good. Good set-up, made some good signings, (like) Watkins. In my memory a lot of players scored a hat-trick that night.As a player, you need these kind of moments. Ollie is a really, really talented striker.Obviously the manager knew him from before and it was a really good signing. The whole Brentford attacking line was exceptional in the Championship season before.So that suits really well, he’s physically strong so he can keep the ball, he can jump high, he is very fast – that’s a good package. (Via: liverpoolecho.co.uk)"
Why Ollie Watkins ticks all the boxes for Liverpool?
His pace for one, his goalscoring ability secondly, and lastly, the fact he stays fit for large parts of the season.
Taking the 2020/21 term into consideration as well as his previous EFL outings, he has barely missed a beat. For three consecutive seasons, prior to his move to Villa Park, he completed no less than 40 games per season.
Jurgen Klopp has always had a starting XI who could run teams dead for 90 minutes and do it for 32 games almost none stop. Beyond that starting lineup, his team struggles to come away with positive results.
This season can stand as a testament to this statement. A couple of injuries in the first part of the campaign totally derailed their chances of defending their English title.
Also, their front three has been a fraction or shadow of their former selves – that’s barring Mohamed Salah, who has kept his goalscoring form intact.
These are all the things they look at, including the fact he is only 25 years old, which makes him the perfect fit for the Reds.
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One thing stands against a Liverpool transfer, his price. If Villa broke the bank for him at an initial £28m which will rise to £33m with add-ons, what will he cost Liverpool or any other club?