Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey as they consider adding a completely different profile to Andoni Iraola’s attack.
According to Ekrem Konur, the Reds are actively tracking the 24-year-old as they assess their attacking options.
There is reportedly no formal proposal on the table at this stage, but Sunderland are said to want a package in the region of £50m–£55m before considering a sale.
And honestly, I can understand why Liverpool would be looking at him.
Because Brobbey offers something that Liverpool don’t really have elsewhere in the squad.
Physical presence.
The Dutch striker is a powerful No.9 who can occupy centre-backs, hold the ball up, bring teammates into play and give his side an entirely different route towards goal.
That could become particularly useful for Iraola.
Liverpool have already shown this season that they can dominate possession without always finding it easy to break down a compact defence.
We’ve seen the attacking talent.
Florian Wirtz.
Cody Gakpo.
Bradley Barcola.
Alexander Isak.
There is plenty of quality there.
But sometimes you need something different.
Sometimes you need a striker who can simply bully a centre-back, win a physical battle and give the team an out-ball when the intricate stuff isn’t working.
And that is where Brobbey becomes interesting.
His timing is certainly intriguing as well.
The Sunderland striker has just scored a hat-trick against Manchester City at the Etihad, despite Sunderland eventually losing 5-3. It was the first Premier League hat-trick by a Sunderland player since Jermain Defoe in 2016.
That performance has inevitably brought more attention his way.
Brobbey currently has three Premier League goals this season, while Opta’s player data shows he has made five appearances and started all five league matches for Sunderland.
And this isn’t just about the goals.
That’s the bit I find most interesting.
Liverpool wouldn’t necessarily be looking at Brobbey because they think they need another goalscorer.
They could be looking at him because they need another way of attacking.
Imagine Liverpool struggling to play through a packed midfield.
Instead of repeatedly trying to find Wirtz between the lines, they could put the ball into Brobbey, let him compete physically with the centre-backs and bring Isak, Gakpo or Barcola into the game around him.
It gives Iraola another plan.
And I think that’s something every top manager wants.
Liverpool have already spent heavily on their attack, so signing another striker for £50m-plus would obviously be a huge decision.
Especially with Isak already at the club and Hugo Ekitike expected to return from injury.
But football isn’t always about having two or three players who do exactly the same thing.
Sometimes it’s about having different weapons.
Brobbey would certainly provide one.
He’s 24, has Premier League experience and has already shown that he can handle the physical side of English football.
He also knows several of Liverpool’s Dutch players through international football, including Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.
And with Van Dijk recently deciding to continue with the Netherlands after speaking to Xavi, there’s another familiar face who knows exactly what Brobbey can bring.
I’m not saying Liverpool should go out and spend £55m on him tomorrow.
Far from it.
But I do think this is an interesting name to be linked with because it points towards something Iraola may eventually want from his squad.
More variety.
Liverpool have pace.
They have creativity.
They have technical quality.
They have Isak’s movement and finishing.
They have Gakpo’s ability to play across the front line.
But Brobbey would give them that old-fashioned physical focal point who can make life uncomfortable for defenders.
And sometimes, against a team sitting incredibly deep at Anfield, that might be exactly what Liverpool need.
For now, though, this is only a reported interest.
There is no formal Liverpool proposal, and the £50m–£55m valuation is being reported rather than confirmed by Liverpool or Sunderland.
But after watching Brobbey put three past Manchester City, I suspect plenty more clubs will be watching him too.
And if Liverpool really are looking for a different profile up front, Brian Brobbey is certainly an intriguing name to have on the radar.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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