Report: Liverpool Interested In Two Strikers; Suarez-Esque Star & ‘Unique’ Frontman | OneFootball

Written by Mark Strickland

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have been linked with two North American centre-forwards: Ricardo Pepi of PSV and Jonathan David of Lille.

Fitness and form are blighting the Reds’ players in that position: Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez. That will not change. When fit, Diogo Jota is first-choice. Indeed, head coach Slot started him in the first five games of the season.

But 30 minutes into the 2-1 home victory over Chelsea on October 20, the Reds’ no.20 walked off, wounded. He is expected to return from his latest injury after the November international break after missing the last six games.

The Portuguese is a natural goalscorer and always in the right place at the right time, but he is injury-prone. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez scored on Saturday and did excellently to get the ball over the Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Yet, he should have scored a hat-trick, even making it harder for his goal, running wide with his first touch. Nunez is the Reds’ record signing. Liverpool would make a loss in selling him. They have to make it work.

We may never see the player who produced one of the away Anfield performances for Benfica because of the pressure.

Ibou Konate is currently the BEST centre-back in the Premier League!

The first option is reportedly Ricardo Pepi – similar stylistically to Luis Suarez – who has scored six in eleven Eredivisie games for table-topping, reigning champions PSV Eindhoven. The 21-year-old USA international averages one in three for the US national team – almost as good as ex-Red Peter Crouch for England.

Another is Jonathan David – described as possessing a ‘unique mentality’ – who joined Lille in 2020 and won Ligue 1 in his first season – helping stop PSG. Infamously, in Canada’s opener at the 2022 World Cup against Belgium, Alphonso Davies took a penalty off him and missed.

Both represent decent value for money in goalscoring terms however it could be debated whether they were ideally suited for The Reds under Slot with the demands the Dutch coach appears to place on the number nine.

Redmen Reacts

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt ace Omar Marmoush as the Reds potentially look to future proof a key position in the squad.

However, with both Jota and Nunez still contributing and talented youngster Jayden Danns on the brink of making his eagerly anticipated return to action, a big move for a striker may not be at the top of the priority list just yet.