Liverpool’s reported interest in Eberechi Eze is gaining traction at an intriguing time, with the 26-year-old’s stock soaring after firing Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory. While no official approach has yet been made, the player’s £70m release clause provides a clear, if costly, pathway for any club looking to make a decisive move.
Why Liverpool Might Still Enter the Race
While Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are reportedly ahead in negotiations, several factors could bring Liverpool firmly into contention:
- FSG’s Financial Structure: Liverpool’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, typically prefers structured payments in transfer deals. However, if Palace remain firm on demanding the full release clause upfront, this could level the playing field—potentially disadvantaging Spurs and opening the door for LFC, should they decide to commit fully.
- Midfield Flexibility and Attack Reinforcement: Eze’s ability to play as a number 10, a wide playmaker, or a more advanced midfielder makes him a perfect fit for Arne Slot’s expected tactical system, which favors fluid attacking movements and technical ability.
- Homegrown Quota and Prime Age: With James Milner and Jordan Henderson gone and the squad in transition, having a homegrown, Premier League-proven talent in his prime adds both short- and long-term value.
What Could Hold Liverpool Back?
- Wirtz Priority: As previously discussed, Florian Wirtz remains Liverpool’s top creative target. A concrete bid has reportedly been made, and Eze is likely Plan B.
- Squad Balance: If Liverpool choose to invest heavily in a centre-back, a holding midfielder, or a forward—other areas in need of reinforcement—it could affect how much they’re willing to spend on a versatile attacker like Eze.
- Price Point: £70m, while fair in the current market for a homegrown match-winner, is still a steep outlay for someone who wouldn’t walk into the starting XI ahead of the likes of Szoboszlai, Diaz, or Gakpo right away.
Verdict
Liverpool are watching the situation closely, and their hand may be forced if Wirtz becomes unavailable or if one of their attacking midfielders departs. Eze ticks many boxes stylistically and strategically, but a move will likely depend on outgoing players or a shift in transfer priorities.
Would you like a breakdown of how Eze would fit into Liverpool’s system under Arne Slot, or a side-by-side with Spurs’ needs for comparison?
…Wembley heroics at the FA Cup final placed him further in the spotlight.
Eberechi Eze’s name has regularly surfaced in transfer talk around top Premier League clubs, and it’s easy to see why. Technically gifted, composed in tight spaces, and with an eye for goal, the Crystal Palace midfielder brings a rare blend of flair and end product. With 13 goals and 11 assists across all competitions this season, his attacking output rivals many of the top-tier midfielders in Europe.
For Liverpool, whose midfield rebuild began in earnest last summer, Eze could offer a different profile compared to Florian Wirtz. While Wirtz is younger and plays with a more classic number 10 flair in the Bundesliga, Eze brings proven Premier League experience, positional versatility (able to play centrally or on the left), and the added benefit of being homegrown—a key factor with UEFA squad regulations.
That said, Wirtz appears to be Liverpool’s clear priority. At just 21, with a standout season under Xabi Alonso capped by a Bundesliga title and deep European run, Wirtz is viewed as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe. However, prying him away from Bayer Leverkusen this summer may be difficult—both due to the club’s ambitions and the likely high price tag.
Should Liverpool find the Wirtz deal untenable, Eze represents a high-upside, realistic fallback. He may not top the list, but he’s certainly on it—and depending on how the summer unfolds, he might just get his long-rumored Anfield move.
Would you like a comparison between Eze and Wirtz in terms of stats, playstyle, or tactical fit for Liverpool?
