Why Jamal Lewis could be a smart signing for Liverpool

According to The Independent, Liverpool have made a £10m bid for Norwich City left-back Jamal Lewis, who is believed to be in advanced talks with the Premier League champions over a potential switch to Anfield this summer.

The 22-year-old shares the same representatives, PLG agency, with Reds’ full-back duo Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, which is one of the reasons why Jurgen Klopp’s side are the frontrunners for Lewis’ signature. (h/t Independent)

As per the source, Klopp is on the lookout for an understudy to Robertson on the left-hand side of the backline and has identified Lewis as a feasible option in the market.

Profile

Born in Luton, Jamal Lewis started his youth career at Luton Town before switching boats to join Norwich City back in 2014. Having shown rapid progress through the youth ranks, the 22-year-old made his senior professional debut for the Canaries during the 2017-18 campaign before establishing himself as a key figure under Daniel Farke in 2018-19.

The Northern Irish international was named in the 2018-19 EFL Championship Team of the Season as Norwich clinched promotion to the Premier League as the outright winners of the second tier.

Even though the Canaries finished bottom of the table in the PL last season and conceded as many as 75 goals in 38 games, Lewis was one of the shining lights of a leaky defence and a rare cause of optimism for Farke’s side.

He scored once in 28 league outings for Norwich in the previous campaign. And with Liverpool now in advanced talks (h/t Independent) to sign the left-back, Lewis seems to have a golden opportunity on his hands to continue his career in the top-flight.

Why Liverpool need him?

Make no mistake, Andy Robertson is one of the best left-backs in the world. He is widely regarded as the epitome of a modern-day attacking full-back in his prime at 26. However, it is imperative that the Reds have a specialist back-up option in that role to take the pressure off Robertson’s shoulders.

Klopp has used veteran James Milner and academy prospect Neco Williams, essentially a right-back by trade, to act as stop-gaps whenever Robertson hasn’t been fit enough to appear. But a permanent solution to the problem should be a priority moving forward.

In fact, Liverpool have been without a specialist back-up left-back ever since the departure of Alberto Moreno. And that is exactly where Jamal Lewis would fit into Klopp’s plans.

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Verdict

Lewis showed glimpses of his talent and potential during Norwich’s relegation campaign last time around. Considering that Klopp’s charismatic stewardship has transformed several quality players into world-beaters, the fans at Anfield can certainly be optimistic about this deal.

At 22, the left-back still has his best years ahead of him. And, the proposed fee of £10m, if true, would make him a massive bargain for the Reds after ending their 30-year drought for a PL title.

Liverpool have had great luck in the signing players like Gini Wijnaldum, Xherdan Shaqiri and Robertson from relegated clubs in the recent past. And Lewis can be the next big bargain to come through the door at Merseyside.