TBR View: Liverpool have missed out on Donyell Malen and Reds fans will be gutted

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It looks like Liverpool won’t be landing one of their reported targets this summer, as Donyell Malen appears to be signing for Borussia Dortmund.

The Dutch international had emerged as a key target for Jurgen Klopp this summer. After scoring 27 goals last season, it’s easy to see why as well.

Things move quickly in football. Just a few weeks back, it was reported that the Reds were in talks over Malen. A deal seemed close, and there was a buzz of excitement among Liverpool supporters.

Fast forward to today, and fresh reports from Fabrizio Romano and more have claimed that Malen has now, in fact, agreed terms with Dortmund. A deal seems all but wrapped up, with an announcement expected soon.

But while Liverpool will be happy with their summer business so far – they’ve signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig – you have to feel that missing out on Malen is a big blow.

Reinforcements needed

In order for Liverpool to reel Manchester City back in, they need added impetus up top. Diogo Jota brought it when he first arrived, but even with Jota, Liverpool remain heavily reliant on Firmino, Salah, and Mane.

Firmino, in particular, needs pressure on him. And that’s where Malen could really have come in. He played up top for PSV last season, rattling in those aforementioned 27 goals.

But this is also a player capable in wide areas, too. Indeed, he has been compared to Alexis Sanchez, a player who can very much occupy all the roles in a front three.

“It’s hard to describe him. If I have to compare him with a player in the Premier League, he seems a bit like Alexis Sanchez,” his former coach Brian Tevreden is quoted as saying.

Sanchez has dipped off in recent times, as we all know. But if Malen can come close to the player the Chilean was at Arsenal and Barcelona, then Liverpool will be kicking themselves for missing out.

End product

Malen has hit 55 goals and laid on 24 assists in his 116 PSV appearances. Given he is just 22, that is quite the contribution.

And at a time when Liverpool’s front three needs freshening up, they’re exactly the sort of numbers the Reds could have done with. Time will tell, of course, but Liverpool and FSG might have dropped the ball when it comes to Donyell Malen.