Liverpool CLOSE in on Julian Alvarez after latest development | OneFootball

Identifying a player to replace Darwin Nunez as the Reds' striker is an unenviable task.

Back in 2022, the Uruguayan looked for all the world like he would become a world-beater in his position, having netted 34 goals in just 41 games for Benfica the season prior.

The data at the time suggested that a move for Christopher Nkunku was the more suitable option, but after an impressive display at Anfield in the Champions League, former Liverpool-manager Jurgen Klopp was convinced. The club sanctioned an £85m move and the rest is history.

As such, while the learnings from such a failed endeavour will primarily involve not deciding things on gut feel, a lot of caution will need to be taken before another high-money move is finalised.

One player that Liverpool have been impressed by is Julian Alvarez, who has shone at Atletico Madrid just one season into his move from Manchester City. The young striker is a hot asset right now.

However, given how fresh his move to Spain is, there have been concerns about whether the Reds can pull off such a move. He's barely got started in La Liga. But last night, Atletico's executives were given all the evidence they needed to know that they'll be perfectly fine without Alvarez next season.

© IMAGO - Julian Alvarez Liverpool

Sørloth outshines Alvarez to give Liverpool hope

At 20:11pm (BST) last night, football fans around the world were left stunned as Atletico Madrid went 3-0 up against Real Sociedad, with Alexander Sørloth having scored an 11-minute hat-trick.

The three goals came between the seventh minute and the eleventh minute, making it one of the fastest hat-tricks of all time - 3 minutes and 57 seconds.

And while you might not believe me, that instance was the second time the Norwegian had scored four goals in a game. He had also achieved the feat less than 12-months prior for Villarreal in a game against Real Madrid.

In both games all four of his shots on target had led to goals. When he's on it, he's insanely clinical.

Atletico have just four La Liga games still to play and Sørloth has now scored 17-goals for the season, two more than his counterpart Alvarez, while playing 900 minutes fewer than him.

So you might be thinking, why wouldn't Liverpool want him over Alvarez and one of the main factors in the debate is age - Sørloth is 29 years old, while the Argentinian is 25 and about to enter his prime.

It should come as no surprise that Liverpool are interested in Alvarez. It was exclusively reported by Anfield Watch less than a week ago that the Reds have the advantage in their pursuit of him.

Darwin Nunez is set to be heading out of the door, and Atletico's manager Diego Simeone is said to be a big fan of him, which makes a possible swap deal with cash added in all the more likely.

After all, the Uruguayan is a player that almost typifies the sort of street fighter, bull to a red flag approach that Simeone appreciates. He's relentless in pursuit for the ball. The pair would create carnage.

Meanwhile, Alvarez's profile is more reminiscent of Roberto Firmino, who was an outright goalscorer as well as a facilitator for the team, who would suit Arne Slot's needs to a tee.

At just 25-years-old, the World Cup winner is a prized talent in world football. Everyone wants him and through Nunez, it seems as though Liverpool might have the key to getting a deal secured.

Furthermore, with Sorloth capable of four-goal match-winning performances, it seems rational to suggest that Atletico would survive perfectly well without Alvarez in the team.

If Atletico fans were given a glimpse of the future, then I'm sure they'll be optimistic about how their team will perform in the upcoming years, and after three years of missed chances from Nunez, Liverpool fans will have their mouths watering at the prospect of having a clinical forward in Alvarez.