Scouting Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Liverpool’s main transfer target
Let’s be honest, Armenia have not produced many great footballing talents in their short history as an independent nation. However, things are looking up for them after humiliating Denmark on their own patch by four goals to nil last week. One man who is without doubt the star of the current Armenian line-up is Liverpool bound Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan has played for Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donestk since 2010 and boasts an impressive record of 40 goals in 102 appearances for the club. They have been mainstays in the Champions League over the last few years and have even reached the quarter-finals on a couple of occasions.
The Armenian attacking midfielder impressed on an individual level this season as Shakhtar qualified from their group at the expense of Chelsea. He showed that he was one of Europe’s most under-appreciated talents and would slot into most Premier League teams with ease.
In terms of strengths, first of all Mkhitaryan can speak English fluently which is an immediate plus for Liverpool. His versatility in attack is another positive; you can see him inter-changing with Coutinho regularly already. In fact even the thought of that happening is a very scary prospect for any defence. The Armenian is most effective when playing just behind the striker but can play as a number nine or as an inverted winger if necessary.
When playing behind the striker, Mkhitaryan loves to find pockets of space to create openings for his team. His movement is hard to track as he is an expert at arriving in the box late but at the correct time to get on the end of cut-backs whilst his dribbling ability enables him to take-on his man too. Add to this his exceptional work-rate and you have an extremely talented footballer.
It seems Liverpool are close to signing a gem of a player who is likely to replace rather than play alongside the mercurial Luis Suarez, who has announced his desire to leave Anfield this summer. Even if the Uruguayan leaves, an attack of Mkhitaryan and Coutinho playing behind Daniel Sturridge is an extremely exciting prospect for Liverpool fans.
The £20million price tag that has been slapped on his Armenian head is worth paying as he is the closest player you will get to Suarez. Despite moving to a club without European football next season, Mkhitaryan seems to have been persuaded by the lure of Premier League football and playing for a big club such as Liverpool. It is a real coup for the Reds as they would not be able to compete with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City for players like Isco. With the likelihood of losing Suarez to the Spanish giants growing larger every day, signing the Armenian will come as a welcome relief for Liverpool fans.
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