
Liverpool
Premier League • England
Liverpool backed to sign nightmare Arsenal forward who made a mockery of Klopp’s trusted lieutenant

Liverpool have been urged to move for an Arsenal attacker who’s become a defender’s worst nightmare, with one observer highlighting an eye-opening moment in the recent 3-2 Gunners win.
Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool was a perfect summation of where the two clubs stand right now. The Gunners are a club on the up and continue to boast one of the league’s youngest starting elevens by average age.
In contrast, the Reds’ squad contains many a name signed in the early Jurgen Klopp years. The likes of Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are all the wrong side of 30.
Is was youth who triumphed over experience when the two sides recently met in the Premier League. One player in particular who stood out was Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian cost just £6m to sign from Ituano in 2019. Martinelli had been taken on trial by Barcelona and Manchester United before Arsenal swooped, and why United let the winger slip through their fingers recently came to light.
Klopp likes what he sees
Martinelli has a strong admirer in Liverpool boss Klopp. The German has gone on record to praise Martinelli in the past and lavished more appreciation on the forward last week.
“Martinelli, I was excited about him from very early on,” said Klopp last Friday. “He became exactly the player I expected he would be.”
Arsenal will hope Martinelli will be a cornerstone of their attack in the coming years.
He’s already made the left wing role his own and could be in line for a new contract that’ll put him among the club’s top earners. His current deal expires in 2024 with Arsenal holding an option for a one-year extension.
However, via Caught Offside, former Liverpool and England striker, Emile Heskey, urged the Reds to sign Martinelli before it’s too late.
Heskey doubts the Gunners will be in any mood to sell, though highlighted exactly why Liverpool should try nonetheless.
The ex centre-forward claimed Martinelli is becoming a defender’s worst nightmare because he’s equally effective crossing, shooting or dribbling past his marker.
Furthermore, Heskey highlighted a recent moment where Martinelli hung Joel Matip out to dry.
The Reds centre-half has been one of Klopp’s must trusted lieutenants over the last 14 months. However, what Heskey saw stuck in his mind.
Martinelli becoming the complete forward?
“I can’t see Arsenal letting Gabriel Martinelli go any time soon, but he’d definitely be someone I would be looking at if I was Liverpool,” said Heskey.
“If you look at that aggression in his game, and the way he’s played so far this season, there aren’t many out there with his ability.
“He’s up and down the pitch, non-stop, for 90 minutes. He has got the ability to drive at players, pull them in and out of positions.
“He’s confident and comfortable on the ball to a point where, as a defender, you aren’t quite sure whether he’s going to have a shot, put a cross in or take you on.
“He’s a fantastic player, and someone who everyone would love to play with and hate to play against. He gives you no time whatsoever.
“There was a time in the game on Sunday where Joel Matip was dealing with a ball in the air. It looked like he had complete control, and then out of nowhere Martinelli comes in, closes him down and took the ball off him.
“He got his body in the way, and he’s a strong lad these days, so once he’s in that position, he’s hard to beat.
“That was from something which wasn’t even a 50:50 ball; it was more a 70:30 ball in Matip’s favour.
“Players like that, you’re always going to want in your team.”
Martinelli to Liverpool? No chance
Liverpool already have their left winger for the next five years in Luis Diaz. While many Liverpool players have struggled this term, Diaz had actually excelled before picking up an injury in a collision with Thomas Partey.
What’s more, Arsenal are clearly a club on the rise and seem prepared to put their money where their mouth is.
They’ve spent well in each of the last two summers. Additionally, fellow forward Bukayo Saka looks set to be rewarded with a new deal that’ll net him over £200,000-a-week.
Martinelli can stake a claim to being just as important to Arsenal as Saka and will expect something similar.
Given the way Arsenal are going, he’ll probably get it and no one can say it won’t be deserved.