LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher is certain Chelsea signing Timo Werner would not make it into Jurgen Klopp’s starting line-up.
Werner was heavily linked with a move to Anfield earlier this year before choosing Stamford Bridge in a £53million move.
The Germany star impressed on his competitive debut last night as Chelsea beat Brighton 3-1.
Werner, 24, won the penalty that Jorginho converted to give Frank Lampard’s side the lead.
Lampard will meet Klopp next on Sunday afternoon as the Anfield boss comes face to face with the player he tried to sign.
But Kop icon Carragher reckons Klopp dodged a bullet in not signing Werner, saying he could not break up the front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Carragher said: “Right now, Werner wouldn’t get in the Liverpool front three.
“Watching him for Leipzig, you think about how much he loves that left channel.
“For Liverpool, you think of the greatest striker in the Premier League in Thierry Henry – who used to favour that left-hand side.
“He can play left of the front three, but predominantly, he will be the central striker.”
However, a look at last season’s stats, when Werner was playing for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, show why Carragher could be mistaken.
Werner – who said he had never come up against defenders as tough as Brighton’s – came out on top against Firmino in most categories.
He absolutely smashed him for goals – 34 to 12 – and minutes per goal.
Firmino netted every 327 minutes while Werner every 106.
Both provided the same amount of assists (12) but Werner – who insists he is fine despite being seen wearing a huge ice pack – was more efficient in minutes per goal involvement – winning 78 to 163.
Firmino did win the battle for most chances created though, with 73 to 69.
While both averaged 1.7 chances created per 90 minutes.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
