Evan Ferguson – The Empire of The Kop

Brighton ace claims ‘smart’ Liverpool player ‘has everything’ after Sunday’s clash at Anfield

Max Rudd — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:15:05 +0000

Brighton ace Evan Ferguson has claimed Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk ‘has everything’ following Sunday’s clash between the two sides at Anfield.

The Seagulls took the lead inside two minutes thanks to a ferocious effort from Danny Welbeck but goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah ensured the Reds finished the weekend top of the Premier League table.

Ferguson, who was a late substitute for Roberto De Zerbi’s side at L4, has admitted his admiration for van Dijk who was named Liverpool captain in the summer following the departure of Jordan Henderson.

“Toughest defender you have faced so far?” Ferguson was asked by ESPN on TikTok (via The Boot Room).

“Van Dijk. He just, he has everything, he’s big, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s smart. He’s got everything he does,” the Irishman replied.

Our No.4 has looked back to his world class best this season with his dominance both on the ground and in the air.

There were fears just last season that the Netherlands international was past his best but he’s silenced many of those critics this term and has already added the League Cup to his selection this season.

The Europa League and Premier League remain within Liverpool’s sights during the current campaign as the Reds aim to give Jurgen Klopp the perfect send off.

Van Dijk is in with a shout for our German’s greatest signing during his time on Merseyside and let’s hope he can continue his fine form as we now enter the business end of the season.

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Who could challenge Liverpool stars to finish as 2023/24 Europa League top scorer?

Liam Togher — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:31:09 +0000

Liverpool are many people’s favourites to go on and win the Europa League in 2023/24, with their dazzling array of forwards set to be among the main contenders to end the competition as its top scorer.

Even if the likes of Mo Salah and Luis Diaz don’t start regularly in the group stage, they could feature more heavily if the Reds go deep into the tournament. Their teammates Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo could also be decent shouts for the top scorer prize.

However, beyond Jurgen Klopp’s squad, a few other forwards might well fancy their chances of outscoring everyone else in the competition, depending on how far their teams can progress on the road towards the final in Dublin next May. So who could be the main challengers to the Anfield attacking arsenal in that regard?

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Evan Ferguson

The Irish attacker has been a revelation at Brighton, scoring 14 goals in his first 34 games for the club, including a sensational hat-trick against Newcastle just before the international break.

The 18-year-old has been backed by some football scouts to go on and become a £100m player in the future, and the Europa League could be the platform which truly catapults him into the wider consciousness outside of the UK and Ireland.

Victor Boniface

The Nigerian was the joint-top scorer in last season’s Europa League with six goals for Union Saint-Gilloise. Liverpool won’t face him in the group stage, though, as he’s since moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he’s made a flying start.

He’s netted five goals in as many matches for Xabi Alonso’s team, also chipping in with two assists. If the Bundesliga side can better their semi-final placing from last term, the 22-year-old will surely be in the frame to claim the top scorer prize outright this time.

Paulo Dybala

The Argentine is no stranger to the European stage from his many years at Juventus, while he netted five times in Roma’s run to the final of this tournament last season.

Jose Mourinho’s men are among the favourites to get that far again this time around, and the 29-year-old attacker may be clicking into gear at the right time, scoring twice in the Giallorossi’s 7-0 thumping of Empoli in Serie A at the weekend.

Jarrod Bowen

Last season’s Europa Conference League final hero for West Ham will be aiming to replicate such feats in the tournament’s secondary competition this term, and his early season form suggests he might be in with a shout as top scorer.

The 26-year-old has scored three goals in his first five matches of the Premier League campaign, while his European record for the Irons is nine goals in 21 appearances. Bowen is very much a man for the big stage.

Willian Jose

Yes, that is the same Willian Jose who endured a difficult loan spell at Wolves in 2020/21, scoring just once in 18 appearances at Molineux. His fortunes have rather changed for the better since then.

The 31-year-old has roared out of the blocks for Real Betis this season, netting three times in their opening five LaLiga games, while he was prolific on the European stage during his time at Real Sociedad previously.

He could be a good outside tip to usurp some bigger names in the race to finish as top scorer in the 2023/24 Europa League.

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‘At least try…’ – Glen Johnson implores Liverpool to consider potential £200m double raid

Liam Togher — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 18:25:31 +0000

Glen Johnson has named two current Premier League players who he’d love to see Liverpool trying to sign in 2024.

The former Reds defender was interviewed by GG Games as he fielded a series of questions on potential future signings at Anfield.

The 39-year-old was asked if LFC should make a renewed attempt to move for Bruno Guimaraes, for whom they reportedly tabled a £100m offer towards the end of the summer transfer window (AS), to which he replied: “Absolutely because I really like him.

“He’s been a key player for Newcastle United and he’s got an awful lot about him, so I can understand why Liverpool would want to sign him because he’s proven himself already at this level. I think all parties would be happy if Liverpool could sign him for £100m.”

Johnson was later asked if he’d like to see the Reds enter the mix for Brighton forward Evan Ferguson, with the ex-Anfield defender replying: “They should at least try, for sure. He’s a young kid that’s burst on the scene and is scoring goals in the Premier League, which is obviously a very tough thing to do.

“Evan will have a better chance at getting into either Chelsea or Liverpool’s team than he would Manchester City’s if he decided to make the move there.

“I believe Chelsea and Liverpool will have their eyes on Evan already because young goalscorers in the Premier League don’t come around that often, so you can completely understand why the big guns will have their eyes on him.”

We’re with Johnson in believing that both Guimaraes and Ferguson would be very astute additions to Jurgen Klopp’s squad if Liverpool were to move for the duo.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been praised by Newcastle legend Alan Shearer for his unflappable in-game temperament (Match of the Day, via Shields Gazette), while he’s also astute at getting the ball into dangerous areas of the pitch.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 15 % of midfielders in Europe’s five main leagues over the past year for progressive passes (7.28) and successful take-ons (1.4) per match.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has been one of European football’s biggest revelations in 2023, scoring 14 goals in 34 games for Brighton despite not turning 19 until next month (Transfermarkt), including a hat-trick against Newcastle at the beginning of September.

Such is the Republic of Ireland international’s promise that there’s a belief within scouting circles that he could develop into a £100m-valued striker in future years (i News).

Liverpool already boast a formidable midfield and forward line, but even if they were to cost £200m between them, Guimaraes and Ferguson would both be magnificent additions to Klopp’s current squad.

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Van Dijk full of praise for Premier League gem who Liverpool could’ve snapped up for a song

Liam Togher — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 20:10:30 +0000

Virgil van Dijk has praised a current Premier League talent who could potentially have now been a teammate of his at Liverpool.

The Netherlands captain was speaking to the media ahead of his country’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday, with the home side dealt a major blow with Evan Ferguson ruled out through injury (RTE).

The Reds defender said of the Brighton forward (via Extra Time): “If you score a hat-trick just before the international break, then he was going to be full of confidence. He looks like he is a promising striker for Ireland now and into the future.

“That is a big blow for them but whoever comes and plays tomorrow, we have to be ready to fight.”

In an alternative universe, Ferguson could now be the darling of Liverpool fans rather than the Amex Stadium faithful. The Irish centre-forward revealed to Sussex Live last year that he previously had a trial with the Reds, among other clubs in Britain, before ultimately deciding on Brighton.

It’s a career choice which has reaped great rewards for the 18-year-old, who’s already netted 10 goals in just 24 Premier League games (Transfermarkt), three of which came in the Seagulls’ victory over Newcastle last weekend.

With the likes of Bobby Firmino and latterly Darwin Nunez ahead of him had he signed for Liverpool, it’s understandable why Ferguson may have chosen the south coast club instead, as he mightn’t have been given the same chance at Anfield as what he’s had at the Amex Stadium.

Then again, Jurgen Klopp is a manager who’s shown plenty of faith in young talent if he believes they’re good enough for the first team, as illustrated by the likes of Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic.

Nonetheless, the Reds could’ve snapped up the Irishman for a meagre fee had his trial turned into a permanent transaction. If he’s to end up on Merseyside on the future, expect him to cost a seismic transfer sum.

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‘Huge boots to fill!”: Nine men who could replace Mo Salah at Liverpool – Neil Jones

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:10:03 +0000

Mo Salah is still being strongly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and so it would be remiss if those at the club weren’t at least tentatively looking at what the future of our front line could look like, after the Egyptian King.

Writing for CaughtOffside, Neil Jones reported: “If I look at players Liverpool have liked previously [to replace Salah], none jump out now as obvious signings. Bukayo Saka would be virtually impossible to get out of Arsenal, while Son Heung-min’s age makes him a no-go.

“Jarrod Bowen probably isn’t at the level required, whereas the likes of Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman and Federico Chiesa have all had their ups and downs. Chiesa was definitely someone Liverpool looked at previously.

“If Salah was to leave, I would lean towards Liverpool maybe targeting someone a little different in terms of profile; still quick, still capable of scoring and creating, but maybe not someone who will simply look to take over from Salah as the main goalscorer.

“I love Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli, Rafa Leao of Milan is a really interesting player, and I’m convinced that Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is bound for the top. Whoever they did sign, however, would have huge boots to fill!”

This isn’t all to say that our No.11 is definitely leaving the club this week, this year, or even at the end of the season but there should be a thought process on the future.

If we can quickly rule out the likes of Bukayo Saka and Son Heung-min, then we still have seven interesting candidates that appear to either be under consideration or at least touted for a move.

Federico Chiesa seems to be the man above with the most tangible links to Merseyside in the past but even there, we can’t hang our hat on who will be the man to replace our ace marksman.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Rafa Leao and Evan Ferguson seem like the type of players we would focus upon, if the market was to open again tomorrow and so they are very interesting names to assess.

Given our strong relationship with Brighton, even if a move for Moises Caicedo did collapse though through no fault of the Seagulls, then the future of their Irish striker would be something to keep an eye on.

What we must also consider though is the knock-on effect to others like Darwin Nunez and how Jurgen Klopp can fit all his options into a team.

The main thing to state though is that we don’t want to consider life after the former Roma man and hope that this considerable headache is one that is several years away.

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Alexis Mac Allister lauds ‘amazing’ player Liverpool are reportedly scouting

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:31:19 +0000

Alexis Mac Allister is one name Liverpool fans would perhaps be quite pleased to see ply his trade in the famous red shirt next term.

Though, it was one of the 24-year-old’s Brighton teammates that attracted all the plaudits for his key role in the Seagulls’ 2-0 win over Bournemouth, registering a stunning opening goal.

“Evan is an amazing player,” the Argentine told reporters (as relayed by BBC Sport). “He was not having his best evening, but he showed his quality.”

Most interestingly, the Republic of Ireland international has allegedly attracted interest from the Merseysiders ahead of the summer window, with 90 Min reporting that the club have been scouting the 18-year-old.

The teenager has enjoyed quite the breakout season for his current club, amassing 19 goal contributions in 26 games (across all competitions) this term.

With Bobby Firmino set to depart this summer and rumours swirling around the future of Diogo Jota, links to the Brighton starlet are somewhat understandable.

That being said, with the midfield set to take priority for the upcoming window, it’s difficult to see enough in the way of funds being free to support the acquisition of an up and coming striker on a long-term contract.

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Liverpool dispatch scouts to watch ‘superstar’ PL teen; averaging goal contribution every 86 minutes – report

Farrell Keeling — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 15:47:55 +0000

Liverpool are reportedly scouting Brighton’s up and coming star Evan Ferguson amid a breakout season at the Amex stadium.

The youngster enjoyed a handful of senior appearances in the prior campaign, though has enjoyed considerably more minutes following Roberto de Zerbi’s arrival on the South Coast, finding the net on six occasions in 16 senior appearances across the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Premier League.

That being said, the report in question, originating from 90min, states that the ‘superstar’ (described as such by ex-Red Danny Murphy on the BBC, via the Irish Mirror) starlet is far from being unhappy with his lot at the Seagulls and the club itself is understood to be keen on the prospect of extending his stay.

Rather remarkably, however, the forward is averaging a goal every 122.85 minutes (from 860 senior minutes) and a goal contribution every 86 minutes.

Though the forward line is far from being an area we should be seriously considering strengthening, the set-in-stone exit of Bobby Firmino at the end of the season could inspire some interesting conversations.

We’d expect the bulk of funds to be committed to renovating the middle of the park with the rest diverted to the backline ahead of further outgoings of the likes of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, and quite possibly Joel Matip too.

Given how Brighton have made developing young talent and selling them on for a high profit an art form, however, we’d be well-advised to consider the possibility of a move before De Zerbi’s men get Ferguson to sign on the dotted line and instantly boost his asking price.

Though given the choice between a third midfielder or defensive cover and the Irish international, we’d likewise be inclined to lean toward strengthening the former departments.

Ep73 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: Author chat with Chris Roberts on Football, Mental Health… and more!

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