Arsenal
Liverpool, as everyone knows, are out there for a No. 9, with a lot of the Reds’ present attackers out there on the proper value this summer season.
Darwin Nunez is for certain to depart, with suitors together with Napoli, Atletico Madrid and Saudi golf equipment, whereas Luis Diaz can also be linked with a transfer to Saudi, Federico Chiesa with a return to Italy, and Diogo Jota might depart if the suitable payment is obtainable.
And whereas Liverpool are closely linked with the trio of Alexander Isak, Julian Alvarez and Hugo Ekitike, an extra, versatile, attacker might occur ought to a number of of the above depart.
The Mail‘s Merseyside soccer reporter, Lewis Steele, stated: “I had a textual content from somebody mainly saying Liverpool need versatile forwards, they need younger forwards, somebody who can kind of play all three positions possibly.
“And I suppose that guidelines out fairly a couple of gamers, however Slot is eager on that versatile side.”
That skill to be versatile for the group is one thing each Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo have each proven in recent times, however Arne Slot may gain advantage from having a extra pure goalscorer via the center.
“The phrase is Liverpool need that versatile ahead who can play throughout the entrance line, so I suppose it’s a case of wait and see on that one,” Steele added.
“I feel mainly one factor that somebody stated to me as properly was, ‘Liverpool don’t need to go looking 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 season.
The membership are definitely 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 stated about what he needs from his foremost 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 targets in addition to be facilitators, Slot defined his desire.
“I will probably be pleased if that participant turns into each,” the top coach stated.
“‘Facilitator’, good phrase, I didn’t know that one but, and scoring targets himself – that’s, once more, what we need to obtain in the long run.
“However I additionally noticed the penalty (at Bournemouth) from Cody the place Lucho performed a component 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 acquired tripped. Ultimately, you need attackers and midfielders to attain, we’ve spoken about our attacking midfielder as properly.
“We have to get targets from many positions, together with them and together with centre-backs that may rating from set-pieces additionally.
“So, that’s what I simply stated, we are attempting to work on the coaching floor and with the suggestions we give them after the sport to make [the] group higher and higher and higher and in the long run, the No. 9 needs to be a facilitator, like a winger, however a winger and a No. 9 must also rating targets.”
Isak, Ekitike and Alvarez are the three strikers to have been talked about most in reference to a Liverpool transfer this summer season.
Of that trio, Ekitike had one of the best artistic statistics this season, creating extra possibilities (1.54) per 90 minutes than Isak and Alvarez, in keeping with FotMob.
It’s price remembering, although, that he was arguably taking part in in a weaker league than Alvarez and, after all, Isak.
Whether or not Liverpool will spend huge 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 price as much as £150 million, whereas Alvarez and Ekitike would each command upwards of £60 million the previous nearer to £100 million.
