Europe’s “greatest striker” is dreaming of signing for Liverpool

Whether or not it is Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez or Luis Diaz, Liverpool’s central hanging place has lacked one thing essential this season. Arne Slot, surely, has been left wanting.

And so have the remainder of Merseyside’s purple half. Liverpool are heading towards the Premier League title, with solely probably the most startling of collapses sufficient to foil the Reds – who have to win 4 of their remaining 9 fixtures.

Curiously, Understat document Liverpool to have created the very best xG (anticipated objectives) of any outfit within the English high flight this yr (72.90), having additionally outstripped their divisional rivals significantly with precise goalscoring numbers (69 objectives; Manchester Metropolis are second within the scoring charts with 55).

So what is the problem with the attacking Pink arrows, then? Mainly, Mohamed Salah‘s unbelievable marketing campaign has seen him tally up a outstanding haul of 32 objectives and 22 assists throughout all competitions, 27 and 17 within the Premier League alone.

The final wastefulness of Liverpool’s forwards will depart fissured reminiscences, however it will little question be mitigated by the possible lifting of the league title.

Points from the current time period can be utilized as a springboard for future endeavours, however Liverpool do want a brand new quantity 9, somebody who can emulate the membership’s former greats – like Fernando Torres, for instance.

Remembering Fernando Torres

Objectively talking, Luis Suarez is probably the most proficient striker Liverpool have ever yielded, definitely probably the most devastating within the trendy period.

However there was simply one thing about Torres. The Spaniard evokes probably the most dreamy reminiscences: headband on, gliding run, fearsome hanging means. The motion. So silky and purposeful. He felt indestructible, unbeatable, at Anfield, they usually beloved him for it. Most nonetheless do.

Followers need that feeling once more. Salah is without doubt one of the biggest forwards – if not the best – in Liverpool’s storied historical past, however he isn’t a centre-forward. Even Roberto Firmino, so revered, so profitable, was not likely the free-scoring kind.

Torres scored 81 objectives and laid on 19 additional assists throughout 142 matches in all competitions. His strike charge eclipsed all different golf equipment – and Spain – throughout his profession. El Nino’s reference to town was one thing completely different, and it could take a particular striker to carry that again.

Nunez, cheerful and likeable and all the remainder, can not seem to shake his tactical maladies, can not seem to discover the wealthy vein wanted to star as Liverpool’s star ahead – and costliest in historical past at that.

Liverpool want one thing new and higher. With a view to obtain that, touchdown somebody to emulate the likes of Torres and Suarez, they could want to interrupt the financial institution as by no means earlier than.

Liverpool lining up the brand new Torres

Spanish sources have some fascinating information relating to Alexander Isak. You could have heard of him. It is claimed Newcastle United’s goalscoring normal is keen on leaping ship this summer time, with Liverpool main the race.

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Barcelona have an interest. Monetary mess however, there are few the reason why any elite-level participant value their salt should not prioritise a transfer to Catalonia, however Liverpool are some establishment themselves, and Isak is just keen to listen to Camp Nou’s proposal ought to the Reds choose in opposition to a bid. Because the report states, the in-demand expertise is ‘dreaming’ of taking part in at Anfield.

A bid, nevertheless, can be constituted by a £150m cost. That is an audacious sum; it could make Isak, 25, each Liverpool and the Premier League’s costliest participant in historical past.

However Liverpool’s coffers are full. There may be cash to spend. There are few higher methods in soccer to spend £150m than on this Swedish sensation, reality be advised.

Why Liverpool ought to signal Alexander Isak

A complete reshuffle of a title-winning frontline can be a reckless gambit, however Nunez is anticipated to depart and maybe Diaz will too. It could make sense to maintain Jota on the books, skilled and – for the lion’s share of his Liverpool profession – lethal in entrance of objective.

However Liverpool followers have been handled to Isak’s prowess on a number of events this time period and it has solely magnified the necessity for one thing new – him, ideally.

The price can be steep; some would name it excessive. Nonetheless, Isak is the perfect of the perfect, proclaimed to be “the perfect striker within the Premier League” by Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher. Certainly, teammate Anthony Gordon admitted he could possibly be the “greatest striker in Europe“.

Under, you possibly can remind your self of the Sweden star’s catalogue from 2023/24. You greatest imagine there have been some new additions since final summer time.

There’s little doubt he has what it takes to turn out to be a celebrity on Merseyside, with the sort of completeness that Slot might make good use of.

Aged 24, Isak’s greatest days might effectively sit forward of him too. He is improved in seasonal increments since becoming a member of Newcastle from Actual Sociedad in a club-record £63m deal virtually three years in the past.

Like Torres, the 6 foot 3 Isak made his identify in Spain. The retired 9 joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid for about £20m in 2007. He was 23 and – like Isak at Sociedad – had demonstrated high-level qualities that had not but been totally developed.

Isak hit 50 Premier League objectives in simply 76 appearances, taking marginally longer than Torres, who did it in 72. It isn’t fairly Erling Haaland (or Salah, for that matter), nevertheless it places each on the highest desk.

However there’s extra. Isak’s stylistic method affords shades of an in-prime Torres. The Magpies man ranks among the many high 4% of strikers throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous yr for objectives, the highest 18% for assists, the highest 9% for shot-creating actions and the highest 8% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Each tall and agile gamers, each endowed with blistering velocity and an innately straightforward method in entrance of objective, there’s each purpose FSG ought to throw the kitchen sink at St. James’ Park this summer time.

You’ll be able to see why Liverpool – and Barcelona and Arsenal and Manchester United and extra – are all so eager on the maverick. Hardly only a goalscorer, Isak will get concerned, works tirelessly and successfully. He is the actual deal, very a lot adequate to sit down alongside the likes of Torres in Liverpool’s pantheon.

The Liverpool supporters are a firebrand lot, passionate for his or her workforce, its success. It is a measure of Liverpool’s brilliance over the previous decade that the anticipated triumph within the Premier League carries a slight air of ruefulness.

With Isak on the bow of the ship, there’s each likelihood Slot’s venture can rise to the following stage subsequent season. With the spirit of Torres returned Liverpool might know no bounds.

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