Anfield Index
·21 de maio de 2026
Liverpool could sign their own Neymar Jr to replace Mohamed Salah

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Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·21 de maio de 2026

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy has increasingly focused on identifying explosive young talent before the rest of Europe fully catches up. That approach explains growing interest in Antonio Nusa.
The RB Leipzig winger was highlighted by Gregg Evans and Andy Jones in their transfer assessment for The Athletic as one of the most technically gifted attacking options available this summer.
At first glance, Nusa’s statistics may not appear overwhelming. Evans and Jones pointed out that he recorded five goals and four assists across 34 appearances this season. Compared with some of Europe’s elite forwards, those numbers look modest.
Yet football scouting rarely depends solely on goals and assists.
Liverpool’s attacking options need variety. They need players capable of unsettling defensive structures through dribbling and unpredictability rather than simply output.
Nusa offers exactly that.

Gregg Evans and Andy Jones explained that Nusa “bases his game on that of Neymar and dribbles like some of the most graceful wingers in the world”. It is an observation that captures the elegance within his football.
Nusa glides rather than sprints.
His movements are fluid, his touches delicate and his balance exceptional. He invites defenders towards him before slipping away into space.
Liverpool’s attacking structure has historically thrived when wide players can destabilise opponents individually. Nusa’s greatest strength lies in his ability to manipulate defenders in isolated situations.
Evans and Jones also noted that his attempted dribble volume and success rate are “almost identical” to Michael Olise’s. That comparison underlines how highly Liverpool’s analysts may rate his underlying performance metrics.
Numbers alone do not always capture threat creation. Nusa consistently progresses attacks, forces defensive shifts and creates space for others through movement.
He also remains only 21 years old.
There is considerable room for tactical and physical development, which makes him particularly attractive from a recruitment perspective.
Antonio Nusa has already attracted interest from English football before.
Gregg Evans and Andy Jones referenced his failed move to Brentford in January 2024, noting that Premier League clubs are expected to revisit him in the future.
That future could arrive quickly.
Liverpool’s attacking options require technical flexibility and athletic dynamism. Nusa provides both. He can operate on either flank and remains dangerous when drifting centrally.
Importantly, he also appears fearless in possession.
Young forwards often struggle when asked to take responsibility during high-pressure moments. Nusa actively demands the ball. Even when moves break down, he continues attempting difficult actions.
Liverpool have historically benefited from attackers willing to persist creatively rather than retreat into safe passing patterns.
The challenge for Nusa would be adaptation.
The Premier League’s physical intensity differs significantly from the Bundesliga. Evans and Jones acknowledged that his numbers are not yet elite-level production figures, meaning Liverpool would likely be investing in potential as much as immediate impact.
Still, the upside is substantial.
Nusa could offer Liverpool a different attacking dimension entirely.
While many wide forwards rely primarily on direct running and explosive acceleration, Nusa operates through rhythm changes and technical manipulation. He slows defenders before accelerating away unexpectedly.
Gregg Evans and Andy Jones repeatedly stressed Liverpool’s need for attacking options capable of thriving in one-on-one situations. Nusa excels there naturally.
His creativity could also become especially valuable against deeper defensive blocks, an area where Liverpool have occasionally struggled.
Opponents increasingly defend Anfield with compact structures designed to limit transitional opportunities. Players capable of unlocking those systems individually are enormously valuable.
Nusa’s profile suggests he could become that sort of footballer.
There is, of course, risk attached to any developing talent. He remains physically slight compared with some Premier League forwards and must improve his end product consistently.
Yet Liverpool’s best recruitment decisions have often involved identifying elite technical talent before universal recognition arrives.
Nusa may not dominate headlines currently.
He might, however, become one of the smartest additions available this summer.







































