A group of Liverpool supporters have been discussing a recent report in regards to the club’s interest in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. According to Napoli Magazine, the Reds are proposing a €60m (£53.4m) offer plus a player in order to try and land the centre-back.
The report goes on to say that the player who is rumoured to be included in the offer is Belgian striker Divock Origi. Koulibaly has been with the Serie A club since 2014 after joining from KRC Genk for £6.98m, and his value has increased dramatically since (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk).
It is clear from the above responses that some Liverpool fans would be against the club spending such a significant amount of money on the Senegalese defender for a number of reasons. One would rather see it spent on Timo Werner, another has raised concerns about his age, while a third supporter believes Gomez remains a better option.
He’s almost 29 years old. We don’t have that kind of money anyway.
— Deep Red (@DeepRed1988) June 1, 2020
Use that money to buy Werner.
— Roshan (@roshan2873) June 2, 2020
We play a high, high line. Cant see Gomez suddenly being dropped nor will 3 at the back compliment our attacking fullbacks or midfield.
— Chris Pybus ? (@ChrisPybus) June 1, 2020
Another question is whether the fans would be happy to see Origi go the other way if the club were adamant on bringing Koulibaly to Merseyside.
Would you like to see the club land Koulibaly this summer?
Yes
No
Origi is going nowhere
— Sayfinho? (@Sayfinho_Liv) June 1, 2020
Do not get rid of our king.
— Elijah (@ElijahJoel8) June 2, 2020
We’ve lost it
— RahulMehta (@GallantSalah) June 2, 2020
Nope, origi is our only good rotation striker and he performs wherever he plays, we have joe Gomez who is maturing and bringing koulibaly who’s 29 can put his confidence lower
— ???? ?????? (@givdaball2bobby) June 1, 2020
@Judemulgrew0 they should be paying us 90mil for divock
— Caogain Kidd (@CaogainK) June 1, 2020
Origi may have only started in 17% of the club’s Premier League fixtures this season, but judging by the above, there is no questioning his popularity amongst the supporters. The 25-year-old signed for Liverpool back in 2014 from Lille and has gone on to score 33 goals in 134 appearances (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).
His late goal in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final victory over Tottenham Hotspur appears to have earned him cult-hero status with the Reds, despite being a bit-part player.