As auditions go, Mohamed Kudus can be happy with how he handed the Anfield exposure ahead of a potential summer move to Liverpool for the West Ham United attacker
While there was to be no fourth goal and no third assist of a largely underwhelming Premier League campaign, the former Ajax ace at least saved one of his livelier displays for the home of Arne Slot’s champions-elec
Slot labelled Kudus a player of Liverpool quality following a hard-fought 2-1 win secured via an 89th minute Virgil van Dijk header. The Ghana international was ‘almost uncontrollable’.
Given the concerns that have been raised regarding hid discipline at times recently – particularly after that remarkable head loss at Tottenham – former West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui may be tempted to describe Mohamed Kudus as ‘uncontrollable’ for rather different reasons.
There can be no question about the talent, however, of a footballer who certainly possesses the raw potential to wear Liverpool red.
Mohamed Kudus given brutal Liverpool verdict after West Ham clash
According to the Daily Mail’s Dominic King, Sunday was not the first time Kudus made an impression on those at Liverpool.
Former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, meanwhile, came up against the £50 million-rated speedster during his time in the red and white of Ajax.
With Liverpool among those keeping a close eye on Kudus ahead of the summer transfer window – per TBR Football – could this be another case of a talented but inconsistent footballer arriving at Anfield before blossoming into one of the world’s best
Another Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota situation, perhaps?
Ron Vlaar, a former Dutch international and a one-time Aston Villa captain, is not quite so convinced. He feels that Kudus – as was demonstrated again last weekend – currently lacks the ruthlessness required of a footballer at one of the Premier League’s title-chasing clubs
[Kudus’ performances this season have been] a bit less [impressive]. But that also has to do with the team, of course,” Vlaar tells Via Play. “I think he’s a very good player.
“But I think that, in the final third, there is still something missing. He is of course a real power player, good physically and he has good actions. But especially in the final phase, I think that the finesse is just a bit lacking.
“To actually make that step [to a club like Liverpool], I think it’s not enough. Having said that, West Ham are having a mediocre season, so it’s difficult to really excel. Maybe too much is expected of him.
“Goals and assists are now a bit of a drag, and then the picture changes very quickly of course.”
Arne Slot labelled Kudus an ‘outstanding’ talent
While Kudus did notch eight league goals during an impressive debut season at West Ham, spending a rumoured £50 million on a forward with only three from 26 matches in the current campaign would undoubtedly raise eyebrows.
Especially when those disciplinary concerns, and an alarming drop off at times from the 2023/24 term, are also factored in
Yet, Arne Slot does not appear to have seen his belief in this most enigmatic of attackers shaken.
“That is what makes the Premier League so strong this season; I think they are 16th or 17th in the league but I can name you one or two players that could have easily played with us today in terms of quality,” Slot said after Liverpool extended their advantage over Arsenal to thirteen points.
“That is what the Premier League is about. I think [Lucas] Paqueta and Kudus were outstanding, especially in the second half.”