Genk Sporting Director Dimitri de Conde has explained why Liverpool need a striker like Paul Onuachu.
The 27-year-old has been one of the standout centre-forwards in the Pro League since joining Genk in 2019, scoring 33 goals in 38 appearances last season.
It is hard to miss the Nigeria international, who stands six-foot-seven-inches tall and has started the current campaign strongly with three goals in all competitions.
Liverpool were linked with attacking targets throughout the summer transfer window to provide competition for No. 9 Roberto Firmino and versatile forward Diogo Jota, both of whom are less than six-foot tall.
De Conde has been keen to point out the Reds’ lack of a physical presence up front, which he believes was evident in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea before the international break.
Jurgen Klopp’s side failed to find a winner despite having an extra man on the pitch for the entire second half against the Blues.
Highlighting this, De Conde told Het Belang van Limburg : “Did you see Liverpool against Chelsea? Liverpool have the best strikers, but none with the same profile as Onuachu.
“He would have scored against 10 men. I’m not saying that Paul would play 90 minutes every week in Liverpool, but a club like that could really use him.”
Onuachu came through the ranks at Midtjylland after leaving his homeland and went on to score 74 goals in 181 appearances for the Danish club.
He made his debut for Nigeria in March 2019 and has earned a total of 13 caps for his country, scoring three goals.
Onuachu joined Genk in August that year for a fee in the region of £5million and he has scored 46 goals in 72 games for the club, helping them win the Belgian Cup last season.
While it is surprising to see De Conde advising Liverpool to sign his side’s prolific target man, Genk are in a strong negotiating position as he has three years remaining on his contract.
Onuachu was crowned Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year last season, while he also won the Golden Boot.
Share your thoughts