Luis Alberto is a 20 year old striker/ attacking midfielder that has joined Liverpool from Spanish side Sevilla. He is 5 foot 11 and his transfer fee was 6.8 million pounds

Background

Luis Alberto has had limited La Liga experience, having only played 7 games for the Sevilla first team and the rest of his experience in the Sevilla B and Barcelona B teams in the lower Spanish leagues.  He has played 6 games for age group Spanish National teams including once in the Under 21 team

Luia Alberto played 38 games last season for the Barcelona B team which is good preparation for the Rodgers Liverpool style of play.  He’s a versatile player who can play as a striker false nine or a left sided attacking midfielder.  His flexibility is one of the hallmarks of a Rodgers player.

Luis Alberto is a pacy scoring forward thinking player who is creative and has a strong work ethic to his game. He has a knack of scoring goals irrespective of his position though which is encouraging.  His time at Barca suggested that rather than playing wide he should play as a central striker or as an attacking midfielder.  He is probably similar to his Brazilian team mate Coutinho.

Rodgers said: “We are all delighted that Luis has decided to join Liverpool.

“He has the correct footballing profile and mentality to be a Liverpool player.

“I look forward to working with him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our club.”

Stats

He has also played twice for Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey with out return and once for the Spanish U21 side

Fantasy premier league perspective

Its hard to see Luis Alberto being in Rodgers opening day line up which means there’s no real rush in to get a head start on other fantasy premier league managers. His age and lack of first team experience in La Liga plus the competition for places just makes an early start for the team unlikely in my mind.   If as everyone expects Luis Suarez leaves Liverpool the front 3 will be something in the region of Sturridge Aspas and Coutinho/Borini/Sterling.  With Armenian international  attacking midfielder Mkhitaryan expected to also be signed then its hard to see Alberto getting a look in initially.  Its more likely he will give cover to Coutinho and be introduced in to the side slowly.

He does have an all round game with a balancedl number of goals and assists as shown by his time at Barcelona B.  Also 29 returns from 38 games is very impressive it just has to be looked at in the context of the Spanish Segunda.  Its all definitely promising but its not for now. I also expect that he will be classified as a striker in fantasy premier league and although it should be at a bargain price the idea of using him for one of those precious slots of 3 just doesnt stack up for me.  I just cant see him starting initially.  Its a no for me at the moment