AFTER losing the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, Liverpool’s forwards have come under much harsher fire than they inflicted on the Newcastle goal in a dismal attacking display.
A front line, previously formidable couldn’t muster a shot on goal before the hour mark and even that was from substitute midfielder Curtis Jones – starman and ex-Ballon d’Or favourite Mohammed Salah shone as much as a damp piece of coal in a dark room.
His contract is up in the summer and we’re yet to receive any updates, but he might not be the only one to depart the Reds; Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa could all be on the chopping block.
Here are five players that we think should be lined up to replace them:
- Alexander Isak
Sunday’s second goal scorer and the Premier League’s hot topic at the moment could be truly up for grabs if Newcastle fail to qualify for Champions League football; the Magpies currently sit sixth but do have a game in hand.
Their talisman has totalled 23 goals already this season and is just 25 years old. Arne Slot appreciates a complete forward and the Swede is certainly that. He ranks in the 94th percentile for chances created amongst Premier League forwards.
Catching the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona, the Reds will face fierce competition for his signature and a very hefty price tag.
- Julian Alvarez
Linked in the papers lately, Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez could be the perfect player to bolster Liverpool’s forward line. Victim of a controversial double-touch penalty to eliminate them from Champions League last week, yet his performances have not gone unnoticed.
23 goals so far this season is his best since his days in Argentina. During his time at the Etihad 19 was his top total, although he was playing second fiddle to a certain prolific Norwegian most of that time.
In his two Manchester City years, he has already completed the English game, winning two Premier Leagues, a Champions League, Supercup, FA Cup and Club World Cup, with the FIFA World Cup to go alongside he is one of the Earth’s most decorated footballers at just 25 years old.
- Antoine Semenyo
He has played in the EFL since he was 17 and eight years on he’s one of the sparkling performers of this season’s Premier League. A fast-paced dynamic left-winger that has encapsulated Bournemouth’s season has been linked to the Premier League champions in waiting.
Nine goals and five assists means he’s yet to pop his ten-goal-season cherry for Bournemouth, but means he’s one goal contribution clear of Luis Diaz who occupies Liverpool’s left hand side for now.
His goals and their results have tailed off of late, but his early season form will certainly be enough to spark Arne Slot’s interest.
- Viktor Gyokeres
Set to be available for £50m in the summer, Gyokeres could be one of the most contested players of the 2025 summer transfer window. Thought to be a top target for many Champions League clubs he certainly will be a tricky signing for Liverpool to pull off.
He has a staggering 40 goals this season and has scored 83 times in under two years in Portugal with six goal contributions in three games so far this month. His numbers would revolutionise the Liverpool front line, where goals from the centre have been few and far between.
To put it into perspective, Liverpool strikers Jota and Nunez have a combined 15 goals this season, so it’s fair to say Gyokeres could fill their shoes plus a pair or two more.
- Rayan Cherki
Now this would be a classic Liverpool signing. Cherki will have just a year left on his contract come the summer and in Lyon’s dire financial state, he should be available for under £20m, the sort of thing to make Liverpool chief executive of football, Michael Edwards knee slide around his office.
Cherki is still 21 years old and has amassed almost 200 professional games. This season he has shone on Lyon’s right-wing, scoring eight and assisting a whopping 18, making him much more of a creative output.
Whilst he might not be the top name on many Liverpool fans wish lists should Mohammed Salah leave the club, he is certainly a viable option that could very much see become a reality.
