Interestingly, it’s all gone a bit quiet on the centre-forward front for Liverpool, who are progressing with plans across other areas as Arne Slot works out how to improve his title-winning squad.
It’s curious because it’s been understood for several months that Liverpool are making the addition of a new focal frontman a priority, but with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s imminent departure now set in stone, FSG have moved quickly to land Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, with a deal in the closing stages.
It’s also understood that left-back Milos Kerkez will be bumped up to first priority once the Dutchman has signed, with Andy Robertson no longer at his rip-roaring best.
Interest in Florian Wirtz has dominated headlines in recent days, but none of this should detract from the fact that Liverpool are going to launch a statement move for a new striker this summer.
Darwin Nunez is set to leave, after all.
The latest on Darwin Nunez's Liverpool future
Nunez arrived on Merseyside to much fanfare, leaving Benfica after a prolific stint that saw goals scored against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in one Champions League campaign.
He joined, aged 22, for a club-record fee rising to £85m.
Fast track three years, and the 25-year-old is set to leave the club with rueful frustrations over what might have been. Despite flashes of brilliance, the mercurial talent has never kicked on, and actually fallen back several steps under Slot’s wing.
Ultimately, it just hasn’t quite worked out for Nunez. But he still leaves Anfield with a Carabao Cup medal and as a Premier League champion, having clinched 66 goal involvements across 141 appearances.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed he is expected to leave, with all parties keen on drawing a close to his Liverpool career.
24/25
45
1,982′
7
7
23/24
54
3,026′
18
15
22/23
42
2,366′
15
4
Slot has only started the Uruguay forward once in the top flight since Boxing Day, however, and it’s almost nailed-on that he’ll be plying his trade elsewhere next term, with Liverpool gearing up to advance interest in a talented new striker.
Liverpool eyeing bid for new striker
As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro, who has enjoyed two promising years on the south coast.
The Brazilian talent, still only 23, is also being pursued by Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, whose fate in qualifying for the Champions League will determine their place in the race.
The Premier League star is expected to fetch a fee of around €60m (£51m) if he leaves the AMEX this summer. No small sum, but more affordable than some other high-profile names on the market.
Joao Pedro is the perfect Nunez upgrade
Joao Pedro left Watford in the Championship to sign for Brighton in a deal just shy of the £30m mark in 2023, and he’s since posted 30 goals and ten assists across 70 matches in all competitions.
While he’s undergone something of a quieter season this year, the versatile attacker has been regarded for his “really magical” quality by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard, and has hit 17 contributions from just 24 starts.
He’s a work in progress, but one who has proved himself in the Premier League. There’s little question he would offer more for Slot’s team than Nunez has this season, adding a dimension that will surely be required to ease the burden on Mohamed Salah and angle Liverpool toward a more balanced offensive threat.
Contrasting the two forwards’ Premier League campaigns, it’s clear to see why Liverpool would be interested in making the change.
Matches (starts)
28 (8)
27 (23)
Goals
5
10
Assists
2
6
Shots (on target)*
1.2 (0.4)
1.7 (0.7)
Big chances missed
7
7
Pass completion
71%
75%
Big chances created
3
11
Key passes*
0.4
1.1
Dribbles*
0.3
1.1
Tackles + interceptions*
0.8
0.9
Duels won*
2.1
4.9
Joao Pedro certainly has aspects to improve upon, but there’s no question he’s a dynamic and rounded player with technical flair and a tenacious attitude besides.
By contrast, Nunez has plunged into deep fathoms, detached from the combative, committed player who first arrived at Anfield, raw but robust and raring to go.
FBref have crunched the data to reveal more about Joao Pedro’s skill set, and why his multi-facetedness would be perfect for Slot’s side.
Across the current Premier League campaign, the £50k-per-week talent ranks among the top 3% of forwards for assists, the top 15% for shot-creating actions and passes attempted, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 17% for successful take-ons, and the top 6% for through balls per 90.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
To put it another way, he’s endowed with an athletic and creative style that Slot would will into any direction he pleases, and while the clinical edge needs some sharpening, Joao Pedro has converted 19 big chances in the league for the Seagulls, missing 16 big chances all told.
Nunez, conversely, has missed 54 big chances since first playing in England’s top flight, only scoring 25 league goals in that timeframe.
His presence has waned in Slot’s system, a rather damning indictment on his at-odds efforts given the meteoric rises of Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
A player of “ridiculous” talent who has yet to really break into his quickest stride, according to one Brighton analyst, Joao Pedro has what it takes to make a big improvement on an already thriving Liverpool frontline.
With Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota hoping to reprise their places in the Liverpool squad, this could be a dynamic addition to allow the team to do it all over again next year.
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