Nick Woltemade — The Next Gem for Arne Slot’s Liverpool? 🔴
At 1.98m, he's not your typical forward. But Nick Woltemade is more than just height — technically refined, tactically flexible, and statistically intriguing.
Here's a breakdown of his 2024/25 season — the numbers, the data, and how/if he'd fit into Slot's Liverpool #LFC
At 1.98m, he's not your typical forward. But Nick Woltemade is more than just height — technically refined, tactically flexible, and statistically intriguing.
Here's a breakdown of his 2024/25 season — the numbers, the data, and how/if he'd fit into Slot's Liverpool #LFC
Player Profile -
Nick Woltemade (2002) is a 1.98m forward who spent the 24/25 season thriving in a dynamic, possession-based system.
Nominally a striker, he's functionally a hybrid: drops into midfield, rotates wide, links play, and presses hard. Think facilitator, not just finisher.
Woltemade isn’t glued to the penalty box. He often drifts into the left half-space to receive on the half-turn, combines well with midfield runners, and plays with surprising finesse for his frame.
His mobility and awareness make him a tactical asset in buildup phases.
Nick Woltemade (2002) is a 1.98m forward who spent the 24/25 season thriving in a dynamic, possession-based system.
Nominally a striker, he's functionally a hybrid: drops into midfield, rotates wide, links play, and presses hard. Think facilitator, not just finisher.
Woltemade isn’t glued to the penalty box. He often drifts into the left half-space to receive on the half-turn, combines well with midfield runners, and plays with surprising finesse for his frame.
His mobility and awareness make him a tactical asset in buildup phases.
Offensive Stats (24/25) -
🧨 17 goals
🎯 4 assists
📈 0.57 xG/90
💥 1.87 shots/90
🧠 1.93 key passes/90
Not explosive, but efficient. Woltemade isn’t a volume shooter — he picks his moments.
His shooting is calculated, and his chance creation is an underappreciated layer of his game.
🧨 17 goals
🎯 4 assists
📈 0.57 xG/90
💥 1.87 shots/90
🧠 1.93 key passes/90
Not explosive, but efficient. Woltemade isn’t a volume shooter — he picks his moments.
His shooting is calculated, and his chance creation is an underappreciated layer of his game.
Creative Output -
🔍 0.2 xA/90
🔗 3.1 shot-creating actions/90
🧵 1.6 passes into the box/90
📩 27.74 passes per/90
He shines in buildup. A forward with soft feet and vision, Woltemade is often the pre-assist guy — the glue between midfield and attack. His calm under pressure opens space for others.
🔍 0.2 xA/90
🔗 3.1 shot-creating actions/90
🧵 1.6 passes into the box/90
📩 27.74 passes per/90
He shines in buildup. A forward with soft feet and vision, Woltemade is often the pre-assist guy — the glue between midfield and attack. His calm under pressure opens space for others.
Pressing + Defensive Work -
⚡️ 15.6 pressures/90
🏃♂️ 6.2 successful pressures/90
🚫 0.7 tackles + interceptions in final third/90
🥊17.26 ground duels/90
🌬️2.80 aerial duels/90
A real worker off the ball. High pressing energy, especially in central channels.
He disrupts buildup, reads passing lanes, and contributes to a front-line that initiates the press.
⚡️ 15.6 pressures/90
🏃♂️ 6.2 successful pressures/90
🚫 0.7 tackles + interceptions in final third/90
🥊17.26 ground duels/90
🌬️2.80 aerial duels/90
A real worker off the ball. High pressing energy, especially in central channels.
He disrupts buildup, reads passing lanes, and contributes to a front-line that initiates the press.
Physical + Athletic Profile -
📏 1.98m tall
🏋️♂️ Great upper body control
⚡️ Decent top speed
🌀 Surprisingly nimble in tight spaces
Despite his size, Woltemade isn’t clunky. His balance and coordination allow him to operate in tight areas.
He’s not explosive, but he’s smooth — glides rather than bursts.
📏 1.98m tall
🏋️♂️ Great upper body control
⚡️ Decent top speed
🌀 Surprisingly nimble in tight spaces
Despite his size, Woltemade isn’t clunky. His balance and coordination allow him to operate in tight areas.
He’s not explosive, but he’s smooth — glides rather than bursts.
Advanced Metrics (24/25) -
📊 Touches in opp. box: 4.5/90
📈 Progressive passes received: 8.1/90
🧠 Progressive carries: 2.3/90
🔄 Pass completion (final 1/3): 83.4%
Shows up well in buildup + transition data.
He’s not just an endpoint — he actively moves the ball forward and links sequences without turning it over.
Woltemade’s link-up game is elite for his age. His hold-up play is nuanced — he absorbs pressure, delays play for overlapping runners, and rarely rushes decisions.
He often acts as a bounce point to reset tempo or progress centrally.
📊 Touches in opp. box: 4.5/90
📈 Progressive passes received: 8.1/90
🧠 Progressive carries: 2.3/90
🔄 Pass completion (final 1/3): 83.4%
Shows up well in buildup + transition data.
He’s not just an endpoint — he actively moves the ball forward and links sequences without turning it over.
Woltemade’s link-up game is elite for his age. His hold-up play is nuanced — he absorbs pressure, delays play for overlapping runners, and rarely rushes decisions.
He often acts as a bounce point to reset tempo or progress centrally.
The numbers good great, but how does it translate to actual in game action? Let’s highlight 5 core traits, that makes Nick so special -
Link-up + back-to-goal play
Pressing coordination
Smart movement in buildup
Reliable ball security in final 1/3
Tactical flexibility (can play 9, 10, or wide left)
Let’s break these down next
Link-up + back-to-goal play
Pressing coordination
Smart movement in buildup
Reliable ball security in final 1/3
Tactical flexibility (can play 9, 10, or wide left)
Let’s break these down next
Link-up Play -
Woltemade’s link-up play is arguably his most refined trait. At 1.98m, you expect him to win duels — and he does — but it’s how he links that stands out.
He receives with a purpose: to progress play.
Whether it’s quick lay-offs, one-touch flicks into runners, or body-feints to create separation, he operates like a No.10 in a No.9's body.
His ability to play with his back to goal, protect the ball under pressure, and connect with midfielders in zone 14 makes him ideal for a possession-based, rotating front three — exactly the kind of system Arne Slot deploys.
Woltemade’s link-up play is arguably his most refined trait. At 1.98m, you expect him to win duels — and he does — but it’s how he links that stands out.
He receives with a purpose: to progress play.
Whether it’s quick lay-offs, one-touch flicks into runners, or body-feints to create separation, he operates like a No.10 in a No.9's body.
His ability to play with his back to goal, protect the ball under pressure, and connect with midfielders in zone 14 makes him ideal for a possession-based, rotating front three — exactly the kind of system Arne Slot deploys.
Pressing Coordination -
Pressing isn’t just about energy — it’s about timing, shape, and structure. Woltemade reads pressing cues exceptionally well for a 22-year-old.
He angles his approach to force the ball wide or onto the weaker foot, shadow-covers central lanes, and rarely overcommits.
In mid-blocks, he drops into the right channels to cut passing lanes and allow the midfield line to stay compact.
Slot’s pressing system relies on forwards who initiate well and recover shape fast — Woltemade fits this mold with his blend of tactical discipline and physical effort. He’s not a headless presser; he’s a coordinated cog.
Pressing isn’t just about energy — it’s about timing, shape, and structure. Woltemade reads pressing cues exceptionally well for a 22-year-old.
He angles his approach to force the ball wide or onto the weaker foot, shadow-covers central lanes, and rarely overcommits.
In mid-blocks, he drops into the right channels to cut passing lanes and allow the midfield line to stay compact.
Slot’s pressing system relies on forwards who initiate well and recover shape fast — Woltemade fits this mold with his blend of tactical discipline and physical effort. He’s not a headless presser; he’s a coordinated cog.
Smart Movement -
Woltemade’s movement is subtle, intelligent, and incredibly team-oriented. He doesn’t just run — he drags.
He pulls defenders out of shape, rotates with interior midfielders, and makes diagonal movements that open half-spaces for inverted wingers or overlapping full-backs.
He’s particularly effective when drifting into the left half-space, where he can combine off short vertical passes or switch play.
In Slot’s system — which encourages dynamic positioning and layered attacking patterns — this kind of movement becomes a tactical weapon, even without touching the ball.
Woltemade’s movement is subtle, intelligent, and incredibly team-oriented. He doesn’t just run — he drags.
He pulls defenders out of shape, rotates with interior midfielders, and makes diagonal movements that open half-spaces for inverted wingers or overlapping full-backs.
He’s particularly effective when drifting into the left half-space, where he can combine off short vertical passes or switch play.
In Slot’s system — which encourages dynamic positioning and layered attacking patterns — this kind of movement becomes a tactical weapon, even without touching the ball.
Final Third Ball Security -
Liverpool’s attacking structure under Slot will demand patience and precision in the final third — two things Woltemade excels at.
With 83.4% pass completion in the attacking third (a high rate for a forward), he keeps moves alive, resists low-percentage passes, and makes intelligent decisions under pressure.
He delays his touches when needed, draws defenders toward him, and finds the open man rather than forcing shots.
In late buildup or when collapsing a block, this retention becomes crucial — the kind of play that might not show up on highlight reels but wins games through control and continuity.
Liverpool’s attacking structure under Slot will demand patience and precision in the final third — two things Woltemade excels at.
With 83.4% pass completion in the attacking third (a high rate for a forward), he keeps moves alive, resists low-percentage passes, and makes intelligent decisions under pressure.
He delays his touches when needed, draws defenders toward him, and finds the open man rather than forcing shots.
In late buildup or when collapsing a block, this retention becomes crucial — the kind of play that might not show up on highlight reels but wins games through control and continuity.
Positional Flexibility -
Versatility isn’t just a bonus — it’s a requirement under Slot. Woltemade has operated as a traditional 9, a false 9, and even a wide left facilitator this season.
He understands each role’s tactical demands: as a 9, he occupies center-backs and links; as a false 9, he creates overloads; wide left, he can combine and invert.
This flexibility allows Slot to shift systems mid-match — from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 or 3-2-5 in possession — without losing cohesion.
Woltemade’s spatial intelligence and tactical adaptability make him a plug-and-play option in multiple attacking schemes.
Versatility isn’t just a bonus — it’s a requirement under Slot. Woltemade has operated as a traditional 9, a false 9, and even a wide left facilitator this season.
He understands each role’s tactical demands: as a 9, he occupies center-backs and links; as a false 9, he creates overloads; wide left, he can combine and invert.
This flexibility allows Slot to shift systems mid-match — from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 or 3-2-5 in possession — without losing cohesion.
Woltemade’s spatial intelligence and tactical adaptability make him a plug-and-play option in multiple attacking schemes.
Summary -
Nick Woltemade might not be a marquee name, but he’s a system player with high-level potential.
He blends physical presence with technical precision, tactical IQ with creative touch, and pressing work rate with ball retention — a rare profile.
Under Arne Slot, who builds around structure, verticality, and fluid rotations, Woltemade could become a key tool: not necessarily the star, but the connector who makes the system tick.
If Liverpool are looking for functional depth, long-term upside, and stylistic synergy, they won’t find many forwards more tailor-made than this
Nick Woltemade might not be a marquee name, but he’s a system player with high-level potential.
He blends physical presence with technical precision, tactical IQ with creative touch, and pressing work rate with ball retention — a rare profile.
Under Arne Slot, who builds around structure, verticality, and fluid rotations, Woltemade could become a key tool: not necessarily the star, but the connector who makes the system tick.
If Liverpool are looking for functional depth, long-term upside, and stylistic synergy, they won’t find many forwards more tailor-made than this
Those are my thoughts on Nick Woltemade and why he may be a really smart option for us this summer, as his numbers look good
But what do you guys think? Is Woltemade good enough to lead the line at Liverpool?
#LFC #Liverpool #Woltemade #Nunez #Transfer
But what do you guys think? Is Woltemade good enough to lead the line at Liverpool?
#LFC #Liverpool #Woltemade #Nunez #Transfer
@Ben_Mattinson_ @BenBocsak @AnfieIdFix @asim_lfc @SamueILFC @SamMcGuire90 @TheAnfieldBuzz @AnfieldWatch @BlueChipLFC @saribk01 @DistanceCovered
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