Could Liverpool striker Diogo Jota’s well-taken goal in the Merseyside derby have been more timely? He’d languished through a dreary first half in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, consigned to more misery in the final third.
But, like all great finishers, he struck hard and true when presented with a golden opportunity, securing Anfield a priceless win over Everton as Arne Slot edges closer to maiden-year glory.
Jota is a wonderful goalscorer, but he’s also been horribly out of sorts over the past few months, with his goal earlier this week breaking an 11-game duck in front of goal.
The 28-year-old, of course, will need to build on this moment, but it might just have been enough to remind FSG and Liverpool and the fans that this is a forward worth keeping on the books. Jota, after all, has been hailed for his “exceptional” scoring ability by Jurgen Klopp in the past.
However, Liverpool do need to sign a new striker this summer and ease the burden on chief talisman Mohamed Salah, 32, should the Egyptian renew his contract.
Liverpool's hunt for a striker
Darwin Nunez stoked the passions of Liverpool fans on Wednesday evening, embodying derby-day spirit as he gesticulated in front of the crowd, raising the decibels having been booked for his part in a fracas with the ever-annoying Jordan Pickford.
But Nunez’s day is almost done, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the expectation is for the Uruguay striker to be sold at the end of the season.
He will, at least, be attired in a Premier League champions’ jersey with a gold medal to match, but with just seven goals across 41 appearances for Liverpool this season, it feels certain that Nunez will be sold.
The Athletic have confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but at £150m (or more) it’s unlikely FSG will green-light a deal. It’s unlikely anyone will green-light a deal, for that matter, least of all the Magpies.
So then, alternatives. Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has been reported by Spanish sources to be on Liverpool’s radar, while Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is also admired by Liverpool’s hierarchy.
1.
Mohamed Salah
27
17
44
2.
Harry Kane
22
9
31
2=
Omar Marmoush
20
11
31
4.
Robert Lewandowski
25
2
27
5.
Mateo Retegui
22
4
26
5=
Ousmane Dembele
21
5
26
Both deals, speaking truthfully, feel improbable, with Kane’s release clause not active until January 2026 and Alvarez only arriving in Madrid last summer, thus touted at a rather ridiculous £142m figure.
FSG love a bargain, however, and it may be that they can sign two for the price of one in a talented centre-forward who is waiting for his big break.
Statistical analysis shows he has properties that reflect strengths in both Kane and Alvarez’s skill sets, so perhaps it’s worth a punt.
FSG open talks with bargain striker
According to Empire of the Kop, Liverpool have opened talks with Jonathan David’s representatives ahead of a potential summer signing. David’s contract with LOSC Lille is almost up and he could be signed on a Bosman.
The 25-year-old has thrived in France over the past five years but feels the time is right for a fresh challenge, and the Premier League could be the perfect platform to take his career to new heights.
Liverpool, should they sell Nunez, will need a new centre-forward, but with work to be completed across a vast range of positions, this could be a shrewd deal indeed to add a new level of incisiveness to the bow of the ship.
What Jonathan David would bring to Liverpool
Now, all this might sound a little anti-climactic, but please refer to the myriad deals struck under FSG’s influence that have since proved to be blinders.
David might not be the most prominent name on the sphere (yet), but he’s well regarded by those who know his qualities. Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro has actually pronounced his countryman to be “one of the best strikers in the world.”
His incremental progress in France is evidenced through an increased goal threat and a blooming playmaking quality to match. Goals are great and all, but David has laid on 27 assists across five campaigns for Lille, 19 of which have been posted since the start of last season.
Not only creative, David is one of the most technically crisp number nines on the block, ranking among the top 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 17% for carries made per 90 and, crucially, the top 1% for pass completion, as per FBref.
Not only does this align perfectly with Slot’s style of play – Nunez is incongruous in the system, ranking among the bottom 37% for pass completion – but it has led FBref to draw both Kane and Alvarez against the Canada international, technical distinctions marking them among his most comparable players.
Kane might be a deadly goalscorer, but he’s also one of the most creative and influential forwards in the game, with David Ginola once commenting on his elite-level dynamism, saying: “Harry Kane the playmaker, number 10, he’s like Maradona now!”
Likewise, Alvarez has been in fine scoring fettle this season, bagging 23 goals from 46 appearances in all competitions. However, he too is multi-dimensional, ranking among the top 6% of forwards for passes attempted, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 12% for tackles per 90.
If David – who has been described as a “world-class player” by journalist Arash Madani – truly bears a likeness to such players, he might be the perfect option to add to Slot’s brood.
Liverpool need to make a range of signings this summer, and while a more illustrious name will be desired by fans, he’s got what it takes to take the Premier League – and indeed Europe – by storm as Liverpool’s focal frontman.
Slot's hit gold on "special" Liverpool star who's worth more than Frimpong
He’s come on leaps and bounds in Arne Slot’s Liverpool system this season.
1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 4, 2025