Jose Enrique suggests Liverpool should target Leeds United winger Raphinha as Mohamed Salah back up
Former Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes the club should target Leeds United winger Raphinha as a potential back-up option for Mohamed Salah.
Brazilian winger Raphinha has been linked with a summer move away from Elland Road, with Barcelona seen to be the most likely destination for the 25-year-old [Sport].
BT Sport pundit Enrique, speaking to Betting Expert, believes that the beaten Champions League finalists should be looking at completing a move for him though as he would be ‘incredible’ back up for Egyptian superstar Salah.
“The other position that will need strengthening, is definitely a backup for Salah,” he said.
“I don’t think Salah has a proper backup in that position. So for example Raphinha for Leeds would be an incredible option for Liverpool.
“I’m not sure who they are looking for, but Salah needs it as well.
“For example at this time around, when he (Salah) hasn’t been as good, with the AFCON and getting eliminated from the World Cup, the contract situation, he has not been as good.
“Then you could have a player, like Raphinha, coming in and pushing him.
“It happened with Luis Díaz. (Diogo) Jota fell asleep a little bit and Luis Díaz came in, and Jota has been on the bench. And he was incredible before. It’s what keeps you going as a player.”
Too good
Sorry Mr. Enrique, we know you love Liverpool, but Raphinha is way too good to sign for a club just to be someone’s back up on a regular basis.
Raphinha managed 11 goals and three assists in the Premier League this season, despite the club battling relegation until the final day where he was influential in keeping them up.
A move to Barcelona would make sense, with the club in transition and the South American admitting it would be a dream for him. But moving to Liverpool to be Salah’s backup would just be a backwards move.
He’s good enough to make a real impact anywhere he goes and there are enough interested parties that he could make a move up the table and still play regularly.
Liverpool could certainly afford the fee needed to sign him, so it’s no surprise they’re being linked, but it would be a silly move for Leeds and the player.
In other Leeds news, the club are ahead of a CL club in pursuit of an ‘incredible’ young attacker according to a report