Liverpool shortlist £75m Rodrygo alternative

Liverpool do not need to promote Luis Diaz this summer season, however they could need to. Protecting a participant on the books whose coronary heart is ready elsewhere is an ill-fated transfer, and the Colombian desires to depart Anfield.

You possibly can see his case. Aged 28, Diaz is likely one of the most interesting wingers within the sport, however he earns a relatively modest wage at Liverpool and has entered the second-to-last 12 months of his contract.

Diaz desires a pay rise, however Liverpool aren’t inclined to offer him one, as a substitute prepared to see out his contract.

He was a vital a part of final season’s success. Diaz scored 17 objectives and provided eight assists throughout all competitions for Liverpool, his greatest return for the membership.

His electrical tempo, tenacious battle and flexibility proved good for Arne Slot because the Dutch coach led the Reds to the Premier League title.

However Bayern Munich are persistent of their bid to signal the Colombian winger, having already seen a £58.5m bid knocked again this summer season.

Nonetheless, Sky Germany verify that the Bundesliga champions proceed to push, and with Liverpool set to signal a brand new striker, maybe his sale for a mammoth price would not be such a nasty factor in the long term.

The most recent on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been one of many extra coveted names available on the market this summer season. Manchester United and Newcastle United have each proven an curiosity, but it surely’s the Reds who will seemingly prevail, the Frenchman submitting a switch request on Thursday to seal a cope with the Anfield aspect.

Valued at €100m (£85m) Ekitike will price a fairly penny, all proper, however he is price it, already regarded “among the finest strikers on the market” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Whereas Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has been sporting director Richard Hughes’ first selection, the Magpies have rejected Liverpool’s advances, so the Reds have stolen their high goal as a substitute.

He is not so good as Isak, however the 23-year-old does have sky-high potential, the real probability to make headway over numerous years at Liverpool and attain that pedestal.

Whereas Diaz spent a justifiable share of time as a makeshift striker in 2024/25, he’s at his core a left-sided ahead. With Darwin Nunez supposedly off as nicely, Liverpool would possibly have to signal a winger to go alongside Ekitike.

Liverpool line up Luis Diaz inheritor

Based on talkSPORT’s Alex Criminal, Liverpool have retained an curiosity in signing Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, having come near signing him one 12 months in the past.

The England worldwide, 24, is valued at £75m and any concrete transfer relies on Diaz’s future. Nonetheless, the long-standing curiosity and Gordon’s Merseyside affiliation may see him push for a return to Anfield, having left Liverpool’s academy as an 11-year-old.

Whereas Actual Madrid’s Rodrygo can also be on Liverpool’s radar, with preliminary talks having taken place, Gordon is likely to be the person to go for.

Why Liverpool need Anthony Gordon

In Cody Gakpo, Liverpool have a prolific and confirmed left winger. Nonetheless, Diaz’s departure would name for a direct substitute, and whereas Rodrygo could be a surprising signing, Arsenal even have a vested curiosity, and Actual Madrid are searching for upwards of £87m.

Gordon could be a greater than acceptable fallback. A high-speed runner with a dogged strategy to his soccer, the Newcastle star has bloomed into one of many Premier League’s most interesting over the previous couple of years, with teammate Bruno Guimaraes describing him as “particular”.

Technically sharp and bodily sturdy, he definitely matches the mould that Diaz would depart behind, and this dynamic talent set may very well be the proper factor for a younger striker in Ekitike, who will want assist as he steps into the cauldron of fireside that’s the English high flight.

Ekitike will, after all, have the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz to steer the provision line, however in Gordon, Liverpool may retain the sense of power and completeness that Diaz brings to the desk.

And anyway, the Toon expertise has already demonstrated within the Premier League that he is able to throwing down with the likes of Diaz, and certainly Rodrygo, whose talent has led Luka Modric to explain him as a “world-class celebrity” in La Liga.

Let’s dig a bit of deeper. Now, we’ll skew the info a tad. Gordon’s 2024/25 marketing campaign left lots to be desired, however he was a pressure to be reckoned with the season prior.

that 2023/24 time period, evaluating it to Rodrygo and Diaz’s league efforts final time period, we will see that he is received the potential to make fairly the impression at Liverpool.

Fairly the trouble. Gordon’s performances, notching 21 purpose contributions throughout Newcastle’s injury-hit 12 months, led to the honour of the membership’s Participant of the Yr. It was his first full season on Tyneside, and an illustration of his capability for high-level performances.

And whereas his excessive duel price, creativity and efficiency within the remaining third would elevate Ekitike as he makes his maiden method in England, the centre-forward may definitely return the favour, with a method of play that’s really layered and huge.

Certainly, as per FBref, Ekitike ranked among the many high 10% of forwards throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues final season for assists, the highest 6% for shot-creating actions, and the highest 4% for each progressive carries and profitable take-ons per 90.

Whichever method you take a look at it, it is onerous to think about Liverpool’s switch window being something apart from successful. Slot proved his price final season, and now he is being rewarded with the elements to create a long-lasting squad of champions.