Liverpool have a striking problem. It’s funny, in a way, that there is so much negative noise around Arne Slot’s frontline, top scorers in the Premier League and firm favourites to lift the title by May.
But the hard truth is such concerns carry substance. Liverpool have tapered off in recent weeks, no longer playing the slick and dizzying football in the early months of the campaign, when teams of all shapes and sizes were put to the sword.
In the end, Liverpool were well beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final. And that’s okay. It’s football.
But Slot and FSG know where they can improve next season. Anfield’s commanding lead at the top of the table is great enough to be called unassailable, but the frontline will still need to be chopped and changed during the off-season, for sure.
What's going on at number nine for Liverpool
Below, you’re going to see a rather concerning table. It tells the tale of Liverpool’s attacking success since the turn of the calendar year, with Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo the only two who can hold their heads high as far as goal threat is concerned.
Mohamed Salah
17 (17)
12
5
Cody Gakpo
13 (9)
5
1
Luis Diaz
18 (15)
1
2
Diogo Jota
14 (9)
2
1
Darwin Nunez
16 (4)
3
4
Federico Chiesa
5 (2)
2
1
Luis Diaz has only scored one goal across his past 18 matches, Diogo Jota just two – one of which came against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup.
Then there’s Darwin Nunez, who remains an unsolvable conundrum. He’s actually registered more goal involvements than everyone bar Salah in 2025, but the 25-year-old still flatters to deceive through the bulk of his time at Liverpool.
He came close to signing for Saudi club Al-Nassr in January, and while this didn’t come to fruition, the reliably informed Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the expectation is the Uruguayan will be sold at the end of the season.
Who to bring in his place? Well, Alexander Isak is the name on everyone’s lips, having dazzled for Newcastle this season. The Sweden striker has posted 23 goals and five assists across 32 matches in 2024/25, netting as Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed Liverpool are in the running, but at a reported £150m asking price (or even more), it’s not going to be an easy deal to engineer, and FSG’s frugal chiefs appear to be swivelling their heads elsewhere.
So then, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the first-rate centre-forward who may grace Slot’s exciting project this summer.
England star wants to sign for Liverpool
According to Spanish reports, Liverpool have been monitoring Harry Kane’s situation at Bayern Munich, aware that the all-inspiring England captain has an attractive release clause in his contract, active from January 2026.
It’s thought Kane is considering a return to the Premier League and his ‘preferred destination’ is Anfield, which makes sense when considering FSG’s desire to sign a new striker.
Perhaps the most complete number nine in the business, the 31-year-old would be an incredible addition to Slot’s line-up and might just be the best signing sporting director Richard Hughes could make.
How Harry Kane compares to Alexander Isak
Kane may be 31, but exceptions can surely be made for the most incredible of world-class talents. Take Thiago Alcantara, for example, who joined the Reds from Bayern Munich (would you look at that) for £20m aged 29 in 2020, strengthening Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League-winning squad.
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The Three Lions skipper has never been reliant on his speed either and could thrive as an elite player on the European scene for years yet to come.
The bulk of Kane’s career came in north London, but he hasn’t exactly been shabby in the two campaigns since leaving Tottenham Hotspur. At Bayern, Kane has scored 76 goals and supplied 25 assists across 82 matches.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 10% for assists, the top 19% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for progressive carries 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.
Kane might be one of the deadliest finishers in the business, but he’s certainly no one-trick pony. Creative, dynamic and a tenacious leader, he embodies Slot’s virtues and would be the perfect central talisman as he chases down the record goals haul in the Premier League alongside teammate Salah.
1
Alan Shearer
441
260
0.59
2
Harry Kane
320
213
0.67
3
Wayne Rooney
491
208
0.42
4
Andy Cole
414
187
0.45
5
Sergio Aguero
275
184
0.67
5=
Mohamed Salah
292
184
0.63
Comparatively, Isak’s prowess stems from his athleticism, pace and multi-layered approach to the striking game, but he’s not as complete as Kane. Ange Postecoglou has even called the veteran a “generational player,” and he’s probably got that one about right.
Further to that point, following Kane’s dominant Champions League performance against Bayer Leverkusen, trouncing their Bundesliga rivals, journalist Matt Law hailed him as “the best striker in the world.”
Isak’s haul of 23 goals this season is impressive stuff, but it’s not on par with Kane’s 32-goal haul, whose creativity also knows no bounds and would make considerable success regarding Anfield’s overall attacking fluency.
Just imagine, were Kane in the middle of the line instead of, say, Nunez, Slot wouldn’t just wield a deadly goalscorer but a player who could elevate each of those around him, lessening Salah’s burden to no end.
If there is an inkling of a chance that FSG can get this one over the line, they must pounce on the opportunity and spark a new illustrious era on Merseyside.
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