Multiples

With the Premier League champions for the first time ever arriving into the summer with a squad of peak players signed up to long-term deals and a host of exciting young talent, do Liverpool really need a big signing this summer?

For some fans, though, the answer is a resounding yes. Despite their dominant Premier League campaign, the fear is that Liverpool have become a touch too direct in their play. With a midfield often built around high energy athletes as opposed to pure technicians, they can lack a suave pass from the middle. Instead, their threat and penetration comes from the wing backs, with the midfield often doing the ‘hog work’ to keep the side balanced.

Liverpool, then, might be about to make one major signing this summer. With a back-up left-back arriving in the form of Greek international Kostas Tsimikas, the Reds were expected to sign a young back-up for Roberto Firmino and another wide option. While Rhian Brewster looks like fulfilling the need for the former, Ismaila Sarr of Watford is being heavily linked for the wide option.

In the central part of the park, though, the biggest deal to be done looks to be that of Thiago Alcantara. The Spaniard is heavily linked with a switch to Anfield, and is seemingly set on Liverpool as his next club. With Liverpool unlikely to do business unless they lose a midfielder (most likely Gini Wijnaldum to FC Barcelona), though, it could be a quiet and frustrating few weeks for Reds fans.

Given their dominant year last year, it might seem odd to see Liverpool fans unhappy with the clubs off-the-field progress. With a midfield short on creative flow, though, it’s the only signing that Liverpool really need this year. Will they make it, though? This summer has been uncharacteristically slow for a club that is often praised for their administrative quality.

We’ve covered Yankees previously. A yankee is basically a bet that expands on a four fold accumulator where every selection has to win for your bet to be a winner. As opposed to accumulators with a yankee your bet is instead split into various different bets (11 bets from 4 selections -> 6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 four-fold.). With a Super Yankee, also known as a Canadian, 5 selections are involved, so as I’m sure you can understand the number of bets increases too. The 5 selections amount to a total of 26 bets. 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds plus 1 five-fold.

This is of course a considerable number of bets and so is not as focused financially or in intent as an accumulator. It’s a bet that you could go for perhaps if you’re quietly confident in your selections but at the same time appreciate that they’re not all that likely to ‘realistically’ come up. Personally, I like the ‘edge of your seat’ nature of accumulator bets, even five folds, but it’s understandable of course that some like to see at least some return if they’re ‘close to’ right, rather than 100% on the button. For those punters with that way of thinking, a Lucky 15 is a Canadian aka a Super Yankee is a decent option.

 

 

Since bursting onto the scene during the 2015-16 campaign, Havertz has quickly become of the Bundesliga’s biggest stars. Following his rapid rise to stardom, the German midfielder has established himself as one of Europe’s hottest prospects, reportedly attracting interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool. So, let’s a look at whether a top-flight English side should take a gamble on him.

The Bundesliga’s Next Big Star

When you analyze the now 20-year-old’s statistical return, it’s clear to see why the youngster has become such an integral part of Bayer Leverkusen’s squad over the last few years. Moreover, as of May 29th, he’s also one of the primary reasons as to why Die Werkself are priced at 4/5 to finish in the top four with football betting come the end of the Bundesliga season. Having progressed through the club’s academy, the attacking midfielder has scored 42 goals, in addition to assisting a further 30, across his 142 appearances for the German side, according to Soccer Base. Furthermore, it’s a testament to the German’s abilities that he has already registered seven international caps.

“Die drei Fußballer Lucas Alario, Wendel” (CC BY 2.0) by verchmarco

In an era of football where the German top flight is the home to a wide array of up-and-coming talents, such as Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Timo Werner, and many more, Havertz is considered by some to be the league’s standout player. A report by the Daily Star states that former Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steffen Freund believes that the Leverkusen youngster is the most talented player in the Bundesliga.

Versatility with the Potential to Flourish

Fundamentally, aside from Havertz’s ability to find the back of the net while supporting a lone striker, which, in Leverkusen’s case, is usually Kevin Volland, the 20-year-old is also more than capable of leading the line himself. Crucially, the German international’s ability to operate to a world-class level in numerous offensive positions is why he’s highly sought after by several Premier League sides.

Despite the fact that the midfielder is rumored to be priced at approximately $110 million by the one-time UEFA Cup winners, his in-game intelligence is one of the reasons why he is undoubtedly worth the gamble. Even though he has typically operated as an attacking midfielder for much of his professional career, Havertz has this season shown that he can also lead the line as a prolific goalscorer. As per his profile at Transfermarkt, the former Alemannia Mariadorf youth player has, at the time of writing, been deployed as a center forward on six occasions by Peter Bosz during the 2019-20 season. Impressively, Havertz has thrived in this role, scoring six goals and setting one up for his teammates.

Naturally, it’s because of his positional flexibility that he is the ideal option for Premier League teams. Manchester City, for example, are set to lose David Silva come the end of the current campaign, and while his position at the club will be tough to fill, Hazertz is more than capable of stepping up and delivering in his absence on the field.

The Ability to Produce All-Important Match-Winning Moments

Ultimately, while Hazertz is guaranteed to cost a lot of money, few players in world football are capable of altering the outcome of a match quite like the 20-year-old. Although it remains to be seen as to what happens next in the German’s career, there can be no doubts that he has the talent to reach the pinnacle of the sport, especially at a Premier League club.