Liverpool, as everyone knows, are available in the market for a No. 9, with a lot of the Reds’ present attackers obtainable on the proper value this summer time.
Darwin Nunez is for certain to depart, with suitors together with Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Saudi golf equipment, whereas Luis Diaz can be linked with a transfer to Saudi, Federico Chiesa with a return to Italy, and Diogo Jota might depart if the fitting payment is obtainable.
And whereas Liverpool are closely linked with the trio of Alexander Isak, Julian Alvarez and Hugo Ekitike, an additional, versatile, attacker might occur ought to a number of of the above depart.
The Mail‘s Merseyside soccer reporter, Lewis Steele, mentioned: “I had a textual content from somebody mainly saying Liverpool need versatile forwards, they need younger forwards, somebody who can form of play all three positions possibly.
“And I suppose that guidelines out fairly a couple of gamers, however Slot is eager on that versatile facet.”
That capability to be versatile for the workforce is one thing each Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have each proven lately, however Arne Slot may gain advantage from having a extra pure goalscorer by way of the center.
“The phrase is Liverpool need that versatile ahead who can play throughout the entrance line, so I assume it’s a case of wait and see on that one,” Steele added.
“I believe mainly one factor that somebody mentioned to me as nicely was, ‘Liverpool don’t need to go purchasing for a No. 9 that doesn’t exist’.”
Such a participant would clarify latest stories linking Lyon’s Malick Fofana, a 20-year-old who can play on both wing.
Whereas not a precedence, that is what journalists have been referring to as a ‘market alternative’ potential for Liverpool this summer time.
The membership are actually searching for a centre-back and a No. 9 – then past {that a} versatile attacker and a flexible defender relying on departures.
What Arne Slot has mentioned about what he needs from his predominant striker
Slot him self has defined what he needs in a striker.
When requested in February about whether or not he needs his strikers to attain extra objectives in addition to be facilitators, Slot defined his desire.
“I might be comfortable if that participant turns into each,” the pinnacle coach mentioned.
“‘Facilitator’, good phrase, I didn’t know that one but, and scoring objectives himself – that’s, once more, what we need to obtain ultimately.
“However I additionally noticed the penalty (at Bournemouth) from Cody the place Lucho performed an element with out even touching the ball.
“He dragged the centre-back out which led to Cody being in a one-vs-one and he made a deep run and received tripped. In the long run, you need attackers and midfielders to attain, we’ve spoken about our attacking midfielder as nicely.
“We have to get objectives from many positions, together with them and together with centre-backs that may rating from set-pieces additionally.
“So, that’s what I simply mentioned, we are attempting to work on the coaching floor and with the suggestions we give them after the sport to make (the) workforce higher and higher and higher and ultimately, the No. 9 needs to be a facilitator, like a winger, however a winger and a No. 9 also needs to rating objectives.”
Isak, Ekitike and Alvarez are the three strikers to have been talked about most in reference to a Liverpool transfer this summer time.
Of that trio, Ekitike had one of the best inventive statistics this season, creating extra probabilities (1.54) per 90 minutes than Isak and Alvarez, in response to FotMob.
It’s value remembering, although, that he was arguably enjoying in a weaker league than Alvarez and, in fact, Isak.
Whether or not Liverpool will spend massive on a striker, having already dedicated to paying over £100 million for Wirtz, is up for debate.
The membership are eager on Isak however he might value as much as £150 million, whereas Alvarez and Ekitike would each command upwards of £60 million the previous nearer to £100 million.
