Liverpool transfer target Yevhen Konoplyanka branded ‘a headless chicken’

Yevhen Konoplyanka, here taking on Paul Pogba, failed to impress against France, says Luzhny
 
He’s been the subject of one of the most high-profile transfer chases this week and the Reds hope to tie up a deadline-day deal for the winger, but Yevhen Konoplyanka has been written off as a headless chicken who will flop in England.


Liverpool are thought to be close to finalising a deal for Dnipro’s Ukraine wideman after a £16million deal was agreed.

However, Ukraine legend and former Arsenal defender Oleg Luzhny says he is totally unsuited to the Premier League.
He said: ‘I don’t think the English league is right for him.

Konoplyanka celebrates a goal for Dinipro

‘Konoplyanka’s style of play is better suited to Italy or Spain. The game in England is totally different – it’s about power. You have to run back and forth, back and forth. You run at speed, up and down, and it’s like that for 90 minutes.

‘I saw how he played in the [World Cup play-off] second leg against France, when Ukraine lost 3-0, and he was like a headless chicken.

‘It is a completely different level. When you play in the Ukraine, you can afford not to run.’
Liverpool fans will be hoping Luzhny is wide of the mark, especially after their relief at apparently beating a late challenge from Tottenham to get their man.