Penny for the thoughts of the mass of detractors who thought Arne Slot would fall by the wayside after taking over at Liverpool. Replacing Jurgen Klopp was an impossible task, after all.
Liverpool have done anything but stumble, somehow leaping forward to win the Premier League in Slot’s first season, so dominant and so far clear of Arsenal and Manchester City.
However, not all of Anfield’s first-teamers managed to cover themselves in glory, on an individual basis at least. Club-record man Darwin Nunez is the most obvious pick, having scored seven goals across 47 Premier League games, starting just one league fixture since Boxing Day.
Nunez will leave this summer, most probably, with suitors emerging from Spain and the Saudi Pro League. However, FSG could go one further and cash in on Diogo Jota too.
A high-level number nine is at the top of the shopping list, remember.
The latest on Diogo Jota's future
Jota is not be nailed on for a sale this summer (unlike Nunez), but he may well find himself lacing new boots come September, with Liverpool reluctant to offer their marksman a new contract; his current deal expires in June 2027.
Liverpool signed Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 for a fee rising to £45m. He’s since become one of the deadliest goalscorers around, with Jamie Carragher even claiming last year that the Portuguese star is “the best finisher” the Reds have had in the Premier League, surpassing the great names you can instantly draw to mind.
But Jota has been uncharacteristically profligate this year, with Sofascore recording his xG (expected goals) total at 7.92, meaning with a six-goal return, he has underperformed.
Injuries, an incessant plague throughout his Liverpool career, appear to be catching up with the 28-year-old.
24/25
26 (14)
6
4
23/24
21 (14)
10
4
22/23
22 (12)
7
4
21/22
35 (27)
15
6
20/21
19 (12)
9
0
Saudi suitors are keen, and cashing in on both stars could prove priceless, for it would allow Liverpool to move for their top target at centre-forward.
Liverpool prepare bid for touted striker
As per Spanish sources, Liverpool are preparing an official bid for Hugo Ekitike, but will need to act fast, with the Eintracht Frankfurt forward one of the most sought-after stars of the summer.
It’s understood FSG would be willing to pay €80m (about £68m) for the French talent, but maybe not meet the Bundesliga club’s €100m (£85m) valuation, as has been reported in Germany.
The problem, naturally, is Liverpool aren’t alone in their bid, with Conference League winners Chelsea also keen on a deal and reported to hold the lead in the race, with Sky Sports claiming they are ‘putting in the most effort’.
This is principally down to Anfield juggling a number of different deals – deftly, it must be said – but certainly urges action if this race is to be won.
What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Liverpool
Ekitike, 22, left Paris Saint-Germain as an exciting prospect to make a name for himself in Germany. Frankfurt has proved the dream hothouse for him, with those such as analyst Ben Mattinson regarding him as “one of the best strikers out there.”
His half-season with Die Roten in 2023/24 looked unsuccessful until something clicked at the business end, Ekitike posting four goals and an assist across the final five games of the league season.
This year, he’s hit another gear altogether, scoring 22 goals and adding 12 assists across 48 matches in all competitions, honing his clinical ability while flourishing a multi-faceted skill set which has likely been the arresting factor in convincing Liverpool’s data analysts.
Availability is also a strong suit, Ekitike missing just one game of the concluding campaign with a slight knock. This, of course, leaves him diametrically opposed to Jota in that regard, making a significant case for a transfer switch in the coming months.
Conversely to Jota, Ekitike’s finishing leaves something to be desired, but that hasn’t stopped him forging an almighty campaign for himself in Germany, hitting seven goal involvements from 12 Europa League matches too.
But finishing can be improved. Jota scored seven goals across his final Premier League season for Wolves, missing 12 big chances.
What matters is that Ekitike covers the span of expectation and then some. Indeed, his performances suggest he is the dynamic, rounded striker needed at Liverpool, one who would certainly prove an upgrade on Jota.
Goals scored
0.53
0.45
Assists
0.28
0.23
Shots taken
4.00
3.84
Shot-creating actions
3.55
2.78
Touches (att pen)
6.88
7.30
Progressive passes
1.86
2.56
Progressive carries
3.27
2.78
Successful take-ons
1.83
0.83
Ball recoveries
3.06
3.09
Tackles + interceptions
0.81
1.66
Above we have a collation of the two forwards’ data from their respective league campaigns. Ekitike, as you can see, has outperformed his Portuguese counterpart across almost every metric, with his potency a direct product of his desire to get into the box.
Let’s turn our attention to the players’ respective ball-carrying data. Ekitike is also far more mobile, demonstrating an energy and silkiness which could aid Liverpool in transition, for Jota is more likely to linger in the danger area than actually contribute to the transition himself.
Jota is regarded for being a dynamic player, but Liverpool may well have unearthed a forward even more protean in their attacking application, and much younger besides.
And given that the wellspring that is Jota’s striking ability has seemingly dried up, it might be worthwhile to cash in after five years of praisable service on Merseyside, bringing in a fresh face to spearhead the Slot era as it truly hits its stride.
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