Liverpool’s second-half collapse may have put a dampener on Sunday’s clash with Arsenal, although the Premier League champions had started the day in rampant mood, after racing into a two-goal lead at Anfield.
Two goals in the space of a minute from Cody Gakpo and Luiz Diaz came amid that first-half onslaught for the hosts, with the pair having now scored 18 and 17 goals, respectively, this season in all competitions.
With Mohamed Salah – who boasts 33 across all fronts – rounding off that frontline, the trio have been the standout figures in Arne Slot’s attacking unit in 2024/25, with no other player having reached double figures for goals thus far.
While there had been doubts over Diaz’s future at the club, more recent reports suggested that a new deal could be on the cards for the former Porto man. Salah, of course, has already put pen to paper on his long-awaited contract extension.
Games (starts)
35 (17)
33 (21)
Goals
8
10
Scoring frequency
206min
179min
Big chances missed
6
6
Big chances created
5
8
Assists
5
3
Key passes*
0.7
1.0
Pass accuracy*
79%
84%
Successful dribbles*
0.9
0.9
With Gakpo, meanwhile, tied down until 2028, the flanks look to be in a good place for the Merseysiders moving forward. That said, a new wideman could be on the cards this summer…
Liverpool's search for a forward
It is no secret that Liverpool’s priority ahead of next term is likely to be the addition of a new centre-forward, with Darwin Nunez looking set to depart after netting just seven times in total this season.
The primary target would appear to be Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, albeit with the £100m-rated Swede seemingly out of reach, the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are also reportedly under consideration.
Away from the pursuit of a number nine, however, journalist Graeme Bailey has also reported that the Reds could be in the mix for Athletic Club sensation, Nico Williams, with the Spaniard seemingly ‘willing’ to move to England this summer.
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According to Bailey, it is Arsenal and Chelsea who are leading the race at present, although Manchester City, Newcastle and Liverpool have all made contact with the player’s representatives.
As reported elsewhere, the Euro 2024 winner would be able to depart if any suitor triggers his €58m (£49m) release clause, albeit with one potential sticking point likely to prove his wage demands. The Daily Mail – via GOAL – reported he would be looking to earn more than £400k-per-week, a figure close to what Virgil van Dijk will seemingly be taking home following the signing of his own extension.
Such a salary could prove a real stumbling block for Slot and co, although should a compromise be met, the 22-year-old would be a more than worthy addition to the Anfield ranks.
Why Liverpool could be targeting the next Gakpo
As noted above, Sunday’s stalemate with the Gunners saw Gakpo get on the scoresheet once again, with the 26-year-old nodding home from Andy Robertson’s whipped cross to notch his tenth Premier League goal of the campaign.
That marked the first time that the former PSV Eindhoven man has reached double figures for league goals for the club, after netting 15 times in the 18 months prior to that, following his £35m arrival in January 2023.
Prior to moving to Merseyside, the then-Manchester United target had been a real revelation in his homeland for PSV, having registered 55 goals and 49 assists in 149 games for the Eredivisie giants, offering a relentless threat down the left flank or in a central role.
Such quality had also been on show on the international scene, with Gakpo scoring in every group stage game at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, just a matter of months before moving to England.
In many ways, there would be a sense of Deja Vu if young Williams is to follow suit this summer, with the Bilbao wizard having also dazzled in his homeland, with 61 goals and assists in 166 senior games.
That includes a return of 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, amid the Basque side’s surge to the Europa League semi-final, with it no surprise that he has been dubbed “one of the best wingers on the market” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Like Gakpo too, it is for his national team where Williams has perhaps made the bigger splash, having started in six of Spain’s seven games en route to glory last summer, while memorably netting in the showpiece success over England.
A natural right-footer who typically operates off the left flank, much like Gakpo, Williams also emulates his Liverpool counterpart due to his versatility, having also been just as comfortable operating on the opposite side in his career to date,
That flexibility should ensure that the in-demand speedster provides welcome competition and cover for the likes of Diaz, Gakpo and Salah on either flank, with the chance there for Williams to enjoy gradual progression in a Liverpool shirt – much like Gakpo has been afforded the time to do.
As this campaign has already showcased, Slot’s starting lineup looks strong and healthy – now it’s the time to really enhance the squad as a whole with exciting, high potential moves.
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