Wirtz makes Liverpool too attractive for any world-class striker to ignore- TKT Opinion

The signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen makes the striker role at Liverpool the most coveted position this summer. The Reds are taking advantage of winning the Premier League under Arne Slot without spending any big money last summer.

Liverpool are targeting quality over quantity as they reshape the squad according to what Slot requires tactically at the club. While the Reds won the Premier League without much threat from second-placed Arsenal, some games last season exploited their vulnerabilities.

Paris Saint-Germain, for instance, exposed some areas of concern for Slot, which the Dutchman wants to nullify before next season. While Dominik Szoboszlai enjoyed regular game as a number 10 under Slot, he failed to balance his industry with quality.

The Hungary captain’s unrelenting work rate has earned him a lot of praise, but his lack of contribution ahead persists. Liverpool have agreed a fee of £116m for Wirtz with Leverkusen to solve their playmaking issues as the focus shifts to the striker department.

Liverpool’s number nine problem last season

Before the arrival of the 22-year-old, Liverpool earmarked many top number nines as their potential target during this transfer window. The Reds have a desperate need for a new striker after both Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez struggled last season.

Taking the first leg game against PSG as a prime example, Jota had many opportunities to exploit in a counterattack but consistently failed. The situation only increased the pressure on the Reds’ midfield and defence to constantly repel PSG’s relentless attacks.

As for Nunez, the Uruguayan continued to struggle with his composure at Liverpool, a persistent theme during his tenure here. There were phases last season where Slot preferred to play Luis Diaz as a makeshift number nine.

Slot’s preference to play Diaz as a striker ahead of Nunez and Jota highlights his lack of faith in them. In March, we covered that Liverpool have put a £55m price tag on Jota as the Portuguese remains available. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano confirmed recently that Nunez is guaranteed to leave Liverpool during this transfer window, with several interested parties.

However, Wirtz’s arrival have turned the number nine position, a golden opportunity for any striker to come in and thrive. According to StatMuse, Mohamed Salah and Wirtz are two out of the top three players in the top five European leagues with most assists in the last two seasons.

Furthermore, the Reds have signed Jeremie Frimpong already and intend to add Milos Kerkez, both attack-minded fullbacks. With so much incentive to succeed, there is not a single reason for any world-class striker to turn down an offer from Liverpool.

Liverpool have both the money and the desire to buy a first-team number nine, despite the inflated valuations this summer. Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike are the three highly-coveted number nines.

The Kop Times takes a small glance at what these strikers would bring to the table for Liverpool and how they can thrive ahead of Wirtz.

Julian Alvarez

We covered a report in late May suggesting that Liverpool could offer Nunez to Atletico in a swap deal involving Alvarez. The Spanish club are one of the many clubs interested in signing the Uruguayan international during the summer window

Alvarez has enjoyed a prolific season with Atletico after joining them from Manchester City during the summer of 2024. The Argentina international left City after Pep Guardiola opted to use Erling Haaland as the main number nine under him.

The Citizens missed Alvarez last season when Haaland struggled with form, while also lacking the Argentine’s knack for scoring crucial goals. The 25-year-old can operate anywhere on the frontline, possessing incredible control, technique, quickness and intelligence to influence the game.

Alvarez fits the problem that would thrive alongside the likes of Salah and Wirtz, while also helping his teammates. The Argentina international made 54 appearances for Atletico in all competitions last season, scoring 29 goals and providing seven assists.

Alexander Isak

Liverpool are persistently linked with Isak, alongside many top clubs in Europe, which highlights his impeccable form this season. The Swede is operating at his best at Newcastle and delivers consistent goals from any part of the final third.

While Isak’s history with a questionable injury record is one drawback, there is a separate issue of dealing with Newcastle. The Magpies tend to put an exaggerated price tag on their top asset and make it hard for anyone to negotiate.

The Kop Times previously covered Newcastle’s interest in Jarell Quansah with a potential swap deal for Isak. However, the Magpies have since qualified for the Champions League for the next season, further reducing the possibility of Isak leaving the club this summer.

Hugo Ekitike

While both Alvarez and Isak carry a low risk factor as they are well-established as two of the top strikers in Europe, Ekitike is still a work in progress. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old provides a package that has lured many suitors after his incredible performance for Frankfurt last season.

The young Frenchman made 48 appearances in all competitions for Frankfurt, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists last season. Standing at 1.90 metres, Ekitike is a tall presence in the frontline, yet dazzles his supporters with control and skills.

The 22-year-old enjoys drifting deep in the channels and occupying spaces through the middle phase until the final third. With strong technique and gradually improving composure, Ekitike would make an ideal Liverpool signing if the Reds opt to revert to their old strategy of building starts rather than buying a ready-made one.

Rest assured, the pressure on Ekitike to immediately contribute will be immense after the struggle of Nunez. Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed that Liverpool are in the race to sign Ekitike, along with several big clubs. The 22-year-old commands the price tag of €100m, at par with other established strikers we mentioned.

Rest assured, a number nine is a must for Liverpool, and after signing Wirtz, they have made the striker position at the club one of the most coveted places available in the transfer market right now.