Genk chief offers Onuachu to Liverpool

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has been offered to Liverpool by KRC Genk technical director Dimitri de Conde as a proper alternative striker in the wake of their 1-1 matchday three draw against Chelsea in the Premier League.

De Conde was of the opinion that prolific Genk striker Onuachu, 27, would have made a telling contribution against the ten men of Chelsea if he were on that Liverpool team at Anfield. Having gone down to ten men for the entirety of the second half, Chelsea restricted Liverpool to hopeful attempts from distance and prevented the Reds from creating any chances of note. According to De Conde; “Paul 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 has been much of a late bloomer, only really coming into the limelight last season for Genk in the Belgian Jupiler League aged 26. The Nigerian international scored 33 goals in 38 appearances for the Belgian club to claim the league’s Golden boot and Player of the Year awards, as well as the Ebony Shoe for the best African player. The lanky forward also helped his side to claim the Belgian Croky Cup last season. He has added three more this season for Genk in all competitions. Overall, he has scored 46 goals in 72 appearances in a Genk shirt.

Stylistically, Genk striker Onuachu would offer a different dimension if he were to be a member of the Liverpool squad. Standing at a massive 6 feet and 7 inches, the striker is easily noticeable on the pitch. His size would make him an effective focal point for the side whenever he is on the pitch, allowing runners to play beyond him while he draws the attention of defenders. While he is not as adept as Roberto Firmino with the ball at his feet, his back to goal quality is surely better than Firmino’s. Also, the striker would be a dream center forward for fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, both of whom are excellent crossers of the ball. With a target man that huge, there is a huge likelihood that a good number of their crosses would be converted.

While Genk technical director de Conde is only really making a sales pitch for Onuachu to Liverpool, realisation of the truth of the matter is important. Having a striker of Onuachu’s stature would give a top side a different kind of advantage, especially against teams that operate a low block defensively.

With three years left on his Genk contract, it is expected that Onuachu would move to a bigger club (maybe not Liverpool) in the not too distant future if he can keep up his form at the club. Having signed him for just around £5 million, Genk would expect to make a tidy profit from their prolific Nigerian striker.