Liverpool and Payet; a match made in heaven

With Dimitri Payet now out of the West Ham WhatsApp team group chat, and the Frenchman’s career at the Olympic Stadium just about finished, his agent should be out searching for greener pastures. Although talks are seemingly leading the French international back to Marseille, his perfect destination is really in Merseyside. 

Liverpool are firmly in the title race with Jurgen Klopp transforming the club into something that is actually exciting to watch. But the forever poorly timed AFCON has put a bit of strain on the Reds as they make the title push. Without their Senegalese star, Sadio Mane, Klopp needs to look toward his bench for options on the right flank. Liverpool are not short of talent with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, and even Ben Woodburn on the bench, but the perfect fit for the Reds could be found pouting in West London.

Dmitri Payet trying to leave West Ham: pic.twitter.com/aMoA1t2rh5

— Juunis (@Juunis1) January 12, 2017

SEE ALSO: Slaven Bilic once went on strike at West Ham just like Dmitri Payet

Dimitri Payet had a career-resurrecting year, last season for West Ham that earned him a spot on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and an integral role for France at the Euros. It is easy to see the disappoint of the Frenchman when the team has struggled for wins and is stuck in the bottom half of the table. Payet dreamed of success in the Europa League, like Manchester United, but instead finds himself abandoning ship. If Klopp so badly wants to have a go at the league title, Payet could be the missing piece to bring the silverware back to Anfield after so many years.

The case for Dimitri Payet can be seen in his ability to create chances and the how often he does so. In 18 league appearances this season, the Frenchman midfielder has managed to create 72 chances – top of the pile in the Prem. Mane, Origi, and Sturridge have combined for 46 chances with Mane having the most with 33 of his own.

Unfortunately for Payet, he was forced to play without West Ham’s best striker, Andy Carroll, so those chances have only resulted in six assists. Mane has four league assists with those 33 chances. With a half-decent striker to aim at, Payet would contribute greatly to Roberto Firmino’s league goal total and create a lot more space for Philippe Coutinho to operate. Dimitri Payet may lack the pace of Mane, Origi, and Sturridge, but no team wants Coutinho and Payet on the same pitch pulling the strings for Liverpool.

Say the Reds need some pace against a particular opposition, the versatility of Payet could prove to be a major key as the Liverpool midfield struggles because of injuries and the fact that Georginio Wijnaldum shouldn’t be on the pitch. Payet can comfortably play in the centre of the park or play on the flanks. Depth and consistency win league titles and the addition of a certain Frenchman could bring the title to Liverpool or they could let it slip.

SEE ALSO: This isn’t Dmitri Payet’s first strike

Liverpool have a legitimate opportunity to win the Premier League barring a slip up from the Blues and the predicable slip of Tottenham, but need Payet to make the dream a reality.

Your move, Jurgen.

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