Liverpool can complete modern-day Fernando Torres transfer move before the window closes

Fernando Torres’ armband got Liverpool fans excited before he had set foot in Anfield. A modern retelling of the transfer saga is unfolding with Lucas Ocampos.

His wife’s Instagram said he was a Red, Ocampos, Ocampos. You’ll Never Walk Alone, it said, Ocampos, Ocampos.

Perhaps not quite the same ring as the Fernando Torres original, but the sentiment holds true. Hot on the heels of links from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Lucas Ocampos’ partner has poured more fuel on the fire regarding a potential move to Anfield for the winger. The phrase popularised by Gerry and the Pacemakers, which has become synonymous with the club, was inserted into her social media bio — coupled with the existing rumours, it is enough to prompt the question of whether Liverpool should ‘buy the lad from sunny Spain’.

Specifically, Ocampos currently plies his trade with Sevilla. He enjoyed a hugely productive 2019/20 campaign after moving from Marseille, notching 14 goals and three assists in La Liga. While his output dropped a little last season, there is still plenty to interest Liverpool.

Importantly, the Argentine has experience playing across the front three. He has made 147 career appearances on the left wing, and a further 86 on the right. He also has a handful of appearances (18, to be precise) in either a centre-forward or shadow striker role. As such, Jürgen Klopp could utilise him as cover for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino/Diogo Jota. It is worth dwelling on Jota, who came into the team in much the same capacity — he was so successful that he muscled into the first-choice side, and Ocampos could look to repeat the trick.

One major difference to Jota (and indeed to Torres, when he signed all those years ago) is that Ocampos is on the older side. Even in football terms, this might be putting it harshly: he only recently turned 27. Nonetheless, Liverpool tend to focus on the younger end of the market; Jota exemplifies the ‘high ceiling’ part of the rationale, while the acrimonious Torres switch to Chelsea underlines the ‘resale value’ aspect of the equation.

However, FSG have made exceptions to the policy, most notably to bring in Thiago from Bayern Munich. Breaking the mould for Ocampos would be slightly more surprising, but perhaps the club are simply being forced into compromises as the window draws to its close.