Everyone at Football FanCast is devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to their friends, families, teammates and loved ones.
Liverpool could only wonder what it would be like to sit back at the top before Jurgen Klopp replaced Brendan Rodgers way back when.
But the strong desire for greater success has since been realised, in full colour, over a sustained period of success that has returned every shape of silverware to Anfield’s trophy cabinet.
And when Arne Slot replaced the German last summer after he had ‘run out of energy’, in his own words, many thought that was it, that was the end of an illustrious period that would be remembered for years and years.
That hasn’t proved the case. Most rivals expected the Reds to fall by the wayside, or at least stumble, ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but Liverpool are Premier League champions, deserving winners, dominant winners.
Multiple threads connect the two eras, but that all-important piece of twine, central to everything good on the red half of Merseyside across recent years, is Mohamed Salah.
And he’s set to continue his iconic journey.
Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future
Liverpool ended months of anxious speculation in April, extending Salah’s contract at Liverpool for an additional two years. His £350k-per-week deal was set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.
He’s no longer a spring chicken, but Salah is very much still reflecting his greatness on the field. Last term, he spearheaded Slot’s Premier League title charge, notching 47 goal contributions across the league campaign (an all-time record for a 38-game season).
His vicious blend of deadly shooting and intelligent playmaking have established him as one of the finest forwards of his generation, indeed hailed by Liverpool podcaster Lewis Aspinall as “the best right winger in Premier League history”.
Salah is now 33 years old, but he has all the tools to forge another successful season for himself and his team. With someone like Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee, supplying him, is there really any doubt?
Moreover, Liverpool are hoping to sign a centre-forward to replace Darwin Nunez, and he could be perfect for the Egyptian King.
Liverpool hold talks for new striker
As per Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool remain interested in signing Hugo Ekitike this summer and have been in contact regarding the player, though they face stiff competition from Newcastle United.
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Chelsea have also shown interest this summer, but their recent £60m acquisition of Joao Pedro will have tempered their desire.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is among the most coveted players on the market, but he’s valued at £85m, and this has dissuaded suitors from making concrete moves.
Nonetheless, if Liverpool bank sums from Nunez (with Luis Diaz attracting intrigue from Bayern Munich and Barcelona too), they will have the means and the focus to push ahead and sign a frontman who has what it takes to become a superstar.
Why Liverpool want Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike was recognised as an exciting attacking talent from his days as a fledgling on the professional stage, with talent scout Jacek Kulig saying, “he could reach world-class striker levels”.
He has demonstrated as such in the Bundesliga over the past year, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across all competitions last season. He had spent a half-season on loan with Die Adler previously, warming himself up to a senior role away from the bloatedness of Paris Saint-Germain’s fringes.
And what a decision it was to forge his own path away from the French capital. The data is certainly kind to Ekitike, for he ranked among the top 16% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goal involvements, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.
A ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by a player.
That latter metric is interesting. Ekitike is a man of mobility and swiftness. He gets things done himself, scarce one to linger in wait of deliveries posted onto his doorstep.
This is especially important for the continued success of Salah, for the Liverpool legend is indeed getting on a bit, and a robust and reliable centre-forward such as Ekitike will aid him in conserving his energy for the critical moments.
The Frenchman might not be on the same prolific level as Salah, but he’s got a similarly varied approach to his attacking play, and this could bear dividends for Liverpool’s offensive fluency next season.
It’s important to remember that Ekitike isn’t the finished product yet, but then he’s already been hailed as “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson, with his progress a rising thing over the past several seasons.
He would certainly prove an upgrade on Nunez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli this summer.
Goals scored
0.53
0.40
Assists
0.28
0.16
Shots taken
4.00
2.70
Shot-creating actions
3.55
2.46
Touches (att pen)
6.88
5.88
Progressive passes
1.86
2.14
Progressive carries
3.27
1.83
Successful take-ons
1.83
0.64
Ball recoveries
3.06
3.26
Tackles + interceptions
0.81
1.99
Nunez has been known for his connection with Salah, having assisted the right-winger 11 times across his Liverpool career. Can you imagine how a more refined and established forward like Ekitike would play with him, in turn providing a far superior goal threat?
Moreover, the forward is blessed with a certain instinctiveness that will allow him to latch right onto Salah’s inventive passes, his whipped crosses and deft lay-offs.
This “incredible” young prospect, as described by teammate Rasmus Kristensen, is on the fast track to the top of the game, and Liverpool must do all they can to ensure he winds up at Anfield this summer.
He might even be the perfect partner for Salah over the next couple of years, bringing an energy and dynamism to feed off the 33-year-old’s technical brilliance.
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