Liverpool began the year in a dominant position, sitting atop the Premier League, advanced to the Europa League round of 16, and now await a Carabao Cup semifinal matchup with Fulham.
In addition to his dramatic summertime alterations that have rejuvenated the midfield and given the team newfound vitality and ferocity, Jurgen Klopp must be ecstatic.
While a late-season purple patch gave bullish supporters genuine hope for the upcoming season, last season’s fifth-place finish was the product of a bad, misguided campaign. It was a unique setback during the German’s storied rule.
However, where is Liverpool at the moment? Is Anfield as impregnable as it was during the gilded era that provided the city a wealth of silver? It is approaching. However, further efforts are required to solidify this reestablished position of authority, and as such, 2024 will be a pivotal year in terms of the transfer.
Transfer news for Liverpool: Hwang Hee-chan
With a lot riding on the line in 2023–2024, the Reds will likely need to bolster this month. Joel Matip’s season-ending ACL injury in December might prompt Klopp to look for a defensive addition.
Football Insider has revealed that Liverpool has set their sights on Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, with scouts being blown away by the South Korean’s performances this season. Nevertheless, the ever-shrewd manager is still preparing forward.L
Just a few weeks ago, Hwang was rewarded with a new long-term deal at Molineux. Although a January transfer would be challenging to pull off, the Reds and Tottenham Hotspur will monitor his progress for the duration of the season in preparation for a potential summer approach.
Numbers from Hwang Hae-chan’s season
Hwang, who was recently described as “oozing confidence” by a Sky Sports pundit, has elevated his game to a new level and is one of the Premier League’s individual success stories to date. He has been the deciding factor in preventing Wolves from even hinting at a relegation battle over the last few months.
Just a few weeks ago, Hwang was rewarded with a new long-term deal at Molineux. Although a January transfer would be challenging to pull off, the Reds and Tottenham Hotspur will monitor his progress for the duration of the season in preparation for a potential summer approach.
Numbers from Hwang Hae-chan’s season
Hwang, who was recently described as “oozing confidence” by a Sky Sports pundit, has elevated his game to a new level and is one of the Premier League’s individual success stories to date. He has been the deciding factor in preventing Wolves from even hinting at a relegation battle over the last few months.
The £70k-per-week attacker, who scored eight league goals in his previous two seasons in England, has amassed ten goals and three assists from just 17 starts in the English top division, according to Sofascore.
Following the controversial departure of Julen Lopetegui just before the season began, many predicted that Wolves would be among the favorites to relegate, but after 20 games, Gary O’Neil’s team is currently 11th in the Premier League, 13 points clear of the drop zone.
Hwang has been crucial, as evidenced by the fact that his league total already exceeds that of forwards in form like Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak (both on nine).
Hwang Hee-chan’s style of play
Standing at 5 foot 10, Hwang is a powerful forward with bundles of energy and a slick dribbling style that allows him to find success across a range of roles for his side.
While he has often been used as a centre-forward this term, the 27-year-old is competent across the frontline and offers a two-footed ability that makes for a nightmare for defenders, who know that he could pounce from multiple angles.
Hwang, who has been referred to as “The Bull” by those close to him throughout his career, can be intimidating on his day due to his relentless drive to drive forward into openings. This season, he has scored goals, which has given him a boost in confidence that makes him even more lethal in pivotal situations.
Hwang, who is 31 years old and will leave Anfield in 2023, is a skilled and accurate passer who also makes astute decisions. He might be signed by Liverpool to take Roberto Firmino’s place in the squad.
Hwang’s likeness to Bobby Firmino
Although Hwang played for Leipzig in Germany, he was praised for his style of play despite not being able to replicate the previous achievements in Austria that had earned him the nickname “absolutely crazy” from former teammate Erling Haaland.
According to a biography on the player on the Bundesliga website, he plays with a style reminiscent of Liverpool legend Firmino, emphasizing positional fluidity along with intelligence, quickness, and a remarkable ability to take advantage of space.
Firmino, a club star who played 362 games for Liverpool, scored 111 goals, and gave 79 assists, left on a free transfer in the summer. Under Klopp’s leadership, his lethal strikeforce won the entire set of trophies.
Aside from his recent surge in production, the 59-cap South Korean international is among the top 14% of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, successful takeaways and tackles, interceptions, and blocks per 90, according to FBref.
Firmino provided abilities akin to Hwang’s present metrics during Liverpool’s Premier League triumph in 2019–20, supporting the comparison made before.
What conclusions can be made based on the statistics of the individual players? Although Hwang is playing for a team that has less attacking flexibility than Firmino, he has significantly outperformed the Brazilian in terms of goal scoring, and while he lacks the Brazilian’s creativity—Jamie Redknapp has previously lauded the Brazilian for his “velvet” touches—there is still plenty to be admiring about him.
Particularly considering that Hwang was even reported to have sent star Liverpool center back Virgil van Dijk “out for a hot dog” when he used his weaving and glittering wizardry on the grass of Anfield to score a fantastic consolation goal for RB Salzburg in the Champions League a few years ago.
