Wolfsburg interest in Union SG's Mohamed Amoura 'no threat' to Liverpool

With Liverpool poised for a big summer overhaul following the impending departure of manager Jurgen Klopp, it's safe to say that the Reds can be expected to flex some muscle in the upcoming transfer window.

One player to have emerged on the club's radar is striker Mohamed Amoura, currently plying his trade for Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

Since his arrival from FC Lugano last summer, the diminutive forward has notched up an impressive tally of 23 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances in all competitions, making him a hot commodity in the transfer market.

Amoura scored against Liverpool

Of course, the player has crossed swords with the Reds already this season, scoring the first goal in the Europa League group stage game in Belgium - a game Union eventually won 2-1.

That was just one of his two goals in the Group Stage, spread across six games. But these numbers fail to truly capture the brilliance of Amoura's season.

Despite starting in only 16 fixtures, he's netted an impressive 17 goals in the Belgian Pro League.

In fact, considering his playing time, he averages over a goal per 90 minutes in the league. While he may not be the top scorer this season (coming in second), his goal-to-minutes ratio is unmatched by any other player.

Liverpool and Wolfsburg interested in Amoura

Having lit up the Belgian Jupiler Pro League with impressive stats in his maiden season, Amoura has attracted a flurry of interest from clubs across Europe.

L'Equipe claims Liverpool have already made tentative enquiries for the Algerian, while Kicker claims Amoura is on Wolfsburg's shortlist as they look to bolster their attacking options next season.

That said, the report from the German outlet argues that the financial muscle of the Merseyside club, coupled with the allure of Anfield, would present a formidable challenge for any rival suitor.

Although no concrete moves have been made yet, the prevailing sentiment is that if Liverpool enter the fray, they are likely to emerge victorious.

Amoura: the solution to Liverpool's xG problem?

A move like this makes a lot of sense for several reasons. Amoura is a dynamic forward, known for his dribbling prowess, prolific shooting and surprising ability to win tackles for a player in his position.

Crucially, at just 23 years old, he wouldn't come with an exorbitant price tag. Amoura could represent the low-risk, high-reward option that Liverpool may be seeking to bolster their attacking options next season.

One particularly intriguing statistic, according to Fbref, stands out: Amoura has scored 17 league goals from an expected goals (xG) tally of just 10.7. This is significant considering that most of Liverpool's forwards tend to underperform their xG (with the exception of Diogo Jota). A striker with such clinical finishing ability could be precisely what the Reds require.

However, it's important to note that such a stark contrast between actual goals and expected goals often indicates that the current form may not be sustainable. It's rare for any player to consistently outperform their xG to this extent.

How Liverpool interpret this data could ultimately determine whether their interest in Amoura progresses.