Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville says it was a “real shame for Liverpool” that they weren’t able to sign Alexis Sanchez in the summer, with the Chilean instead electing to move to Arsenal.
In 20 games for the Gunners this season, Sanchez has scored 13 goals, provided three assists, created 48 shooting opportunities for team-mates and dribbled past opponents 81 times.
The 25 year-old has earned comparisons with departed Red Luis Suarez, who moved to FC Barcelona in the summer, and his relentless running and insatiable winning mentality certainly bring the Uruguayan to mind.
Suarez achieved both the highest goal and assist totals in the Premier League last season, so Sanchez has a way to go to match his Liverpool exploits, but it’s hard not to agree that the Arsenal man would have been a fantastic asset at Anfield.
“[Sanchez] would have been an ideal replacement for Luis Suarez. Goals, tenacity, pressing from the front, loses the ball – it goes past him he runs back,” said Gary Neville during Sky Sports’ coverage of the UEFA Champions League last night.
“Everything Liverpool would have wanted to replace Suarez, obviously you could argue he wouldn’t score the goals Suarez would score, but I think he would have been the perfect replacement for Suarez,” he continued.
“It’s a real shame for Liverpool they didn’t get him, but a massive plus for Arsenal.”
Liverpool instead signed Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, who have required more of an adaptation process to the Reds’ high pressing style, but at least Lambert has started to find the back of the net.
The Reds host the Gunners at Anfield on December 21st.