Liverpool Could Sign ‘Lethal’ £50m Striker as Alexander Isak Alternative | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfers: ‘Excellent’ Bundesliga Forward on the Reds’ Radar

Liverpool took a huge step in the race to lift the Premier League title last night, with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Newcastle United. The two sides will meet again in just a couple of weeks in the final of the Carabao Cup at Wembley, where Arne Slot could win his first trophy as Liverpool boss.

On top of the huge success in those two domestic competitions, Liverpool are still in with a shout of winning the UEFA Champions League this year. The Reds face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 next week.

However, despite the huge success that Slot has found with his current squad, a huge summer is expected on Merseyside with a number of high-profile exits and arrivals.

Even without any departures, there are still a few positions in this squad that can be improved upon. Slot could certainly do with strength and depth at left-back, central midfield and a complete centre-forward.

Liverpool have played the majority of the season so far without a recognised striker, with Luis Diaz often operating as the central option in the absence of Diogo Jota and the struggling Darwin Nunez.

Whilst the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen have all been mentioned despite their hefty price tags, Liverpool could certainly make a savvy move by targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike…

Photo: IMAGO

Who is Hugo Ekitike?

Whilst the likes of Isak and Gyokeres are perhaps more proven options, 22-year-old Hugo Ekitike has become one of the most talented youngsters in Europe.

The forward has enjoyed a stellar season so far, scoring 17 goals and assisting a further six goals across all competitions.

Interestingly, Ekitike was Newcastle United’s preferred striker option before signing Isak back in 2022. However, the Frenchman opted for a move to PSG, where his career stalled slightly.

It’s clear to see the similarities between the two forwards, both in terms of systemic approach and technique.

The 22-year-old would also prove to be a much more price-efficient option for the Reds, likely costing around £45-50million, compared to Isak’s hefty £120m+ price tag.

Of course, Ekitike isn’t proven in the Premier League and would obviously carry more of a risk than Isak, but with the need to reinforce other areas of the squad, it’s hard to see Liverpool splashing over £100m on one player.

Other Premier League forwards like Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro have both also been mentioned and are certainly worth keeping an eye on. The pair of Brazilians are both expected to cost around £60million and have proven records in the league, but Ekitike remains a dark horse.

Crunching the Numbers

Whilst it’s important to note that Ekitike is arguably applying his trade in a weaker league, you will struggle to find a more well-rounded option when looking at his metrics.

His pure goalscoring numbers are impressive, averaging 0.59 goals per 90 and also averaging 1.48 shots on target per 90.

But it’s his creativity that really caught my eye. He ranks in the 92nd percentile for key passes (1.64) and the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions (3.54) per 90 minutes.

Should Arne Slot continue to setup with this current system, which requires the number nine to drop in to impact build-up but also get into dangerous areas within the box, Ekitike is certainly capable of doing both.

However, as well as looking good on the ball and scoring goals, we all know how important it is for a Liverpool striker to be able to press and defend from the front. Ekitike boasts strong numbers in that department too, ranking in the 98th percentile for interceptions, as well as proving his ability to make tackles and press in the attacking third.

Finally, in terms of driving the team forward with the ball at his feet, Ekitike is lethal. He sits in the 91st percentile for progressive carries (2.69), 97th percentile for take-ons attempted (4.59) and the 97th percentile for successful take-ons (2.00) per 90 minutes.