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Garth Crooks believes Liverpool look “very normal” without their African Cup of Nations absences, and has urged the Reds to sign James Ward-Prowse.
Jurgen Klopp’s men cruised to a 3-0 win against Brentford at Anfield to keep slim hopes of a Premier League title run alive.
The Reds are without star duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but they won convincingly thanks to goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino.
But the victory did not impress former striker Crooks, who believes Klopp needs to land Southampton’s set-piece specialist Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse’s sensational free kick against the Wolves was wasted in the Saints’ 3-1 loss.
And Crooks suggested the 27-year-old midfielder is the ideal fit to bolster a ‘struggling’ Liverpool in that department.
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Gareth Crooks thinks Liverpool should make a move for Ward-Prowse (Image: @BBCMOTD/Twitter) Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles
“Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse’s free kick against Wolves was outstanding,” he wrote for the BBC.
“How long are Liverpool going to wait to buy Ward-Prowse?
“They allowed Georginio Wijnaldum to leave on a free transfer and they are struggling in that midfield department. Ward-Prowse would fit like a glove.”
Saints captain Ward-Prowse scored his 12th goal from a direct free kick in the league, and is six shy of equaling Manchester United great David Beckham’s all-time record.
Meanwhile, Crooks named Virgil Van Dijk in his Premier League Team of the Week, citing the Dutch defender’s brilliance in both draws.
Ward-Prowse hit an impressive free kick against Wolves (Image: Getty Images)
But there is an obvious concern that they won’t reach the same heights without their heavy hitters who are on international duty.
“Liverpool were unlucky not to win one when van Dijk, a threat in any opponent’s penalty area, brought the ball down brilliantly and shot on goal, only to see his effort magnificently stopped by Álvaro Fernández,” he said.
“It was Van Dijk’s presence in the Brentford box on another set piece that created the opportunity for Fabinho to score.
“It is clear that the Dutch international is a problem for opposing defenders, which is good because against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup on Thursday, and without his players in the African Cup of Nations, he looks very normal.
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