Clint Dempsey: 6 Reasons Why the American Star Would Be a Huge Hit at Anfield

Clint Dempsey is close to a move to Liverpool, as has been reported in the Daily Mail. The attacking midfielder from Fulham has only one year of his contract remaining, and it is no surprise that a few clubs want him. 

Dempsey has been the lynchpin for Fulham during the last two seasons. With goals and assists through the last two years in the league, Dempsey will add goals and good offensive attributes to Liverpool’s attack.

Under Kenny Dalglish, long periods of possession without anything to show for it showed just how toothless this Liverpool attack was last season.

Brendan Rodgers has been quick to try to address this issue by bringing in Fabio Borini. The next name on his list is probably Clint Dempsey, who again will add a bit of flair to a Liverpool side that has not seen much of it for a few seasons now.

The players were just not recruited for a display of entertaining football, and those that could possibly indulge in such a brand were not often played. 

For the time being, let us focus on Clint Dempsey and see just why he is destined for great things at Liverpool.

I believe Dempsey will be a huge hit at Anfield because of the following six reasons.

Consistent Producer

Clint Dempsey is among the few players in the Premier League who have shown consistency over the past two seasons.

Providing stats to back this, he has scored 29 goals and registered nine assists during this period.

Charlie Adam and Andy Carroll also had good stats before they were recruited, but neither of them showed this amount of consistency.

Dempsey also has more Premier League experience than the two combined. 

Liverpool Need a Good Finisher

Dempsey is a good finisher, and Liverpool need one at the moment.

He might be deployed in an attacking midfield role, but his finishing will still add value to the Reds' setup, as he will ensure goals from the midfield.

Liverpool were hardly prolific from midfield last season, with only Steven Gerrard notching more than only a few goals.

This was one of the main reasons why Dalglish’s side failed to even tally 50 goals for the season.

Additionally, Dempsey is well built and brings power into the game. He will ensure that if Andy Carroll is not playing, the towering forward’s power is not missed. Dempsey is a great finisher with his head as well.

Carroll has been termed as one of the best headers of the ball. If Carroll is one of the best, then where do you place Dempsey? The best? Based on current form, I probably would.

Since the start of the 2010-11 Premier League season, Carroll has scored eight times with his head in all competitions, while Dempsey has 10 strikes.

When you consider that Dempsey plays as a midfielder and Carroll as a striker, it makes for interesting reading indeed.

Versatility

Dempsey made his name at Fulham as an attacking midfielder while playing on the left, right and even centre at times.

At Liverpool, he may be deployed in a number of positions, as he was for Fulham.

Brendan Rodgers prefers a 4-3-3, which suggests that Dempsey arguably has four positions that he may fill—although, if he is signed, it will be most likely either side of the front man where the American will be used. 

A New Workhorse

Dempsey is a tireless runner like the hugely popular Dirk Kuyt, who joined Fenerbahce a few weeks ago.

He will provide the attributes of Kuyt along with being better in a few departments, like finishing and speed.

Kuyt was woeful at crossing, but Dempsey isn’t nearly as bad.

Rodgers has stressed that his team will need to work hard if results are to go their way.

He wants his team to press high up the pitch, and there can be no better person to sign to implement that other than Dempsey at the moment.

Will Complement the Existing Squad

Like Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini, Clint Dempsey can also play in any of the front three positions of a 4-3-3 if needed.

He will be switching positions during the course of the match with such players, and this will spell curtains for the opposition.

At times last season, Liverpool did not have enough people making darting runs into the box.

On other occasions, there was only one player (or not even that many) in the box to attack a cross.

Dempsey’s acquisition goes a step toward changing that and bringing meaning to Downing’s crosses and Charlie Adam’s through balls.

Steven Gerrard would love Dempsey’s movement in front of him while Luis Suarez shall wreak havoc by constantly creating chances for Dempsey and Borini.  

A Likable Character and Good for the Tiki-Taka

Dempsey is a very likable human being and football player.

Even though he plays his football hard, he is not the one to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

He is not a diver and does not moan. He is humble and the Kop will be quick to side with him. When a player comes to Liverpool, this is one of the first things he requires in order to succeed.

Furthermore, Dempsey is perfect for the tiki-taka, as he likes play to keep on moving.

He will help destabilize the static play that Liverpool were stuck with last season in the final third. The Reds will thus be more likely to win at Anfield and score more goals.