Arne Slot May Already Have His Ideal Striker at Liverpool | OneFootball

Mo Salah Through the Middle? Why Liverpool’s Striker Conundrum Could Have a Surprise Answer

Slot’s Striker Search Faces a Familiar Problem

Arne Slot’s search for a reliable striker at Liverpool is proving more complex than anticipated. As reported by Anfield Watch, both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota have failed to cement their roles as dependable centre-forwards. “Nunez simply doesn’t score at a high enough rate given the chances presented to him. Jota just doesn’t get on the pitch – he only featured in around one third of Liverpool’s total Premier League minutes this season.”

Luis Díaz, though effective in bursts, is not the long-term answer either. Slot needs someone instinctive, composed and consistent in front of goal. However, the market has not been kind. Alexander Isak was top of Liverpool’s wishlist, but Champions League qualification for Newcastle made any deal near-impossible.

Photo: IMAGO

Transfer Targets Raise Questions

There are other irons in the fire. Hugo Ekitike is admired, but a €100 million fee demanded by Eintracht Frankfurt is steep. Chelsea also appear to be leading that race. “Anfield Watch understands Goncalo Ramos is viewed as a potential value-for-money signing but we’ll have to wait and see if that one develops.”

Slot and the recruitment team may well need to think differently – creatively, even – to solve this issue. And it turns out, the solution may have been in front of them all along.

Salah’s Stats in a Central Role Are Startling

“Mo Salah is the answer.”

So says the report, and with compelling reason. “Liverpool do have an elite striker in the squad: Mo Salah. They just never really use him there.” That might now change.

“Per Understat, Mo Salah has started 25 games as a striker for Liverpool. He scored 23 times across those fixtures, assisting another five, and generating a frankly ridiculous 0.72xG per 90 game.” It’s a rate that would rank him among the most prolific in Europe.

Photo: IMAGO

While Salah is not quite as creative in the build-up, he thrives when his job is to simply finish. “It’s a position that actually suits him wonderfully – as a goalscorer.”

Wirtz, Frimpong and a Tactical Revolution?

Liverpool’s summer movement starts to make more sense in this context. “Enter Florian Wirtz. The German is almost certainly signing for Liverpool as one of the world’s best no.10s.” If Wirtz is indeed coming to Anfield, he could provide the creative spark in behind a central Salah.

Similarly, “this would also explain why Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong despite viewing Conor Bradley as their right-back.” Frimpong could be deployed further forward, allowing for a trio of Frimpong, Wirtz and Salah.

That configuration could help Salah stay central, conserve energy and prolong his elite-level output. “Get him central and able to finish the chances others create. We think it might just be the answer Liverpool are looking for in a very, very difficult striker market.”

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s about time someone said it: Mo Salah through the middle is the move we’ve all been waiting for. The stats don’t lie. Twenty-three goals in 25 games when starting as a striker? That’s not just good – it’s elite. Liverpool have been screaming out for a clinical finisher who knows where the goal is. Turns out, he’s already in the dressing room.

This could also be a masterstroke from Arne Slot. With Wirtz potentially arriving and Frimpong able to add width and pace, the pieces could fall into place quickly. Salah is turning 33 next year. Shifting him inside now not only maximises his scoring ability but could also extend his Anfield career by a couple more seasons.

We’ve seen players like Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo evolve into central threats later in their careers. Why not Salah? If it means keeping Chiesa for another year, even better. Liverpool could be setting up for something truly exciting next season – not by spending big, but by unlocking what they already have.