According to Liverpool FC, Liverpool and Manchester United have sent their scouts to keep a close eye on PSV Eindhoven winger Steven Bergwijn.
The Netherlands U21 international has earned rave reviews for his stellar performances in the Dutch Eredivisie since his bursting on to the scene in 2014. The 21-year-old has hit the ground running this season in an emphatic manner, scoring 4 goals and setting up another 4 from just eight appearances.
A product of Ajax’s youth system, Bergwijn left the club at the age of 13 due to a conflict with a youth trainer and was contracted immediately by PSV Eindhoven. He made his senior debut as a Jong PSV player in the second division in 2014 but was called up to the first team later in the same year, following some eye-catching displays. Since then, he has scored 14 goals for the Dutch outfit.
And his blistering form this season hasn’t eluded the eye of Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool. He has developed a formidable partnership with Hirving Lozano in the attacking third, another player who is on United’s shop list. (h/t Liverpool FC)
Liverpool have made a strong start to their Premier League campaign and the Reds currently sit 3rd in the standings with 20 points, just behind Manchester City and Chelsea on goal difference. Jurgen Klopp’s men have made it clear with their performances that they mean business as far as the race for the title is concerned.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have struggled to get going this season and the Red Devils find themselves 7 points behind league leaders Manchester City. With 4 wins out of their first eight games, Jose Mourinho’s men currently sit 8th in the standings. They must show a massive improvement if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League crown.
While the Red Devils have been let down on numerous occasions by their porous backline, Liverpool have managed to assemble a formidable unit this season. Klopp was amongst the highest spending managers in Europe as he broke the bank to sign the likes of Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri. Consequently, the Reds have looked a lot more comfortable at the back and between the sticks.
Mohamed Salah hasn’t found his magical touch this season and looks like a shadow of the wizard he was last season. Yet, the Egyptian maestro has amassed 3 goals and an assist. Alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, he has once again established himself as the leader of the formidable front three. As a matter of fact, the trio has been directly involved in 12 of Liverpool’s 15 goals so far.
Klopp has used his new recruit Shaqiri at times but he hasn’t been consistent. Liverpool need a goalscoring attacking midfielder who can partly shoulder the workload of scoring. To that end, 21-year-old Steven Bergwijn is an ideal choice.
Furthermore, Klopp would find himself in a crisis if one of the front three is sidelined due to an injury. Daniel Sturridge has put his hand up at times but he is not the most consistent. On the contrary, the youngster has an impressive scoring record for a winger and should add a lot of depth to the squad.
United have had their fair share of troubles in front of the goal as Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez have struggled to make an impact. Sanchez has found it difficult to get involved in the game whereas the Belgian has been poor with his finishing. To be honest, United need a winger who can play on both sides of their 4-3-3 formation and Bergwijn is certainly capable of doing so.
A quick, sharp and agile winger, Bergwijn has the ability to play on either side of the pitch and combines his sound technique with amazing dribbling skills and incredible pace to get past the defenders. His good close control allows him to weave his way past narrow spaces.
The 21-year-old also has a good presence of mind and the vision to pick out the runs of his teammates in the final third with incisive through balls. His decision-making and finishing aren’t of the highest quality but he is never afraid to have a crack at the goal.
As things stand, he would be an ideal reinforcement for both Liverpool and Manchester United. Having said that, the Reds should look to stamp their authority in the quest for the Premier League title by signing this youngster with a release clause of £17.6 million.