Lucas Moura: An Attractive but Risky Option for Liverpool

With silly season upon us, a host of different sites, different “reliable journalists” are reporting different things and naturally, clubs are linked with various players. While we can only speculate as to how concrete these links are; however, we can certainly give more insight on whether a player is suited for a particular club or not.

According to Sky Sports, Lucas Moura is on Liverpool’s list of potential targets. The 23-year-old Brazilian scored 13 goals for Paris Saint Germain last year and wouldn’t come cheap. Liverpool have also been linked with Mario Gotze and Sadio Mane and Moura is supposed to be an “alternate” choice.

The Brazil international joined PSG in January 2013, after snubbing Manchester United, whose interest in the player was well publicised. He joined PSG from Brazilian club Sao Paulo, one widely known for its highly-rated youth programmes. Moura has starred for Brazil at Under-19, Under-20 and has been part of the senior set-up.

An attacker capable of playing anywhere behind the striker, as a number 10 or on either flank, Moura has commanding pace. His speed and ability to control his acceleration allows him to swiftly get down the field and be a hazard to opposing defences. His quick feet give him the ability to weave through the defence and go into striking distance. He possesses pace, power, trickery, skill and great technique. His dribbling is absolutely delightful – a real joy to watch for the fans, and a menace for the opponents.

PSG paid a huge amount — €45m — for him when they bought him three years ago. Following a disappointing start to life in Paris, his first full season was a lot more promising until a thigh injury sidelined him. He finished the season with 5 goals and 11 assists. The 2014/15 season saw him scoring 7 goals and grabbing 5 assists and for the 2015/16 season, his figures read 9 goals and 4 assists.

It wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that the player hasn’t yet lived up to the money PSG spent to bring him in. However, his raw abilities make him an attractive prospect. He possesses really dangerous skills and with match fitness and good guidance, the heights he can reach are dangerous.

But that’s what makes him a risky signing too. Not only does he struggle with match fitness, the sum PSG will sell him for also bring its own risk.

Moura still has time on his side, and although he has been up and down in the previous campaign, he did show many positive signs too. What must be most encouraging is that he was called up for by Dunga for their Copa America campaign recently, albeit as a replacement.

There is little doubt that he can perform really well, when consistently part of the starting eleven. However, he definitely has to bring in more end product to his game and add goals

Moura needs to go to a place where he can get regular game-time and play under a coach who has faith in his abilities. He would definitely add a lot of quality to the Liverpool squad. The fact that Liverpool’s best attackers are his compatriots, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, might make this an even more attractive option.

While not playing European football is embarrassing for a club like Liverpool, this also brings the advantage of playing lesser games and doing well in the league, establishing themselves in the top 4 and playing in the Champions League next season. For this to happen, Jurgen Klopp definitely needs more quality in the squad and it is why Liverpool have been linked to an array of attackers.

Lucas Moura is a dangerous player on his day but hasn’t done much to prove his price-tag and the hype surrounding him. Encouragingly however, he is only 23 and can still go on to do really great things in his career. In the right environment and with ample game-time, he might blossom to the star he was thought to be at Sao Paouo. Liverpool might be the ideal fit.