Liverpool and new head coach Andoni Iraola are unlikely to look to sign a striker in the summer transfer window, former scout Mick Brown has claimed.
New signings are needed all over the pitch for the Reds, following a dispiriting final season under Arne Slot, whether it be right-back, central midfield or wide attacking areas.
But speaking to Football Insider, Brown said that a new striker won’t be at the top of Liverpool’s wishlist, even though Hugo Ekitike is a long-term injury absentee:
“Iraola is going to have to put transfer plans in place at Liverpool. There are a number of positions where they need to improve, but I’m told a new striker isn’t high on their list now, there are other positions they want to target.
“There’s been some talk about Iraola wanting to sign Kroupi from Bournemouth, but I would be very surprised if that move happened. They’ve still got Alexander Isak, who they spent £125million on, and Ekitike, even though he’s out injured until next, will come back into the side.
“So bringing in another striker, where will he fit in? Kroupi will want to play regularly, so that’s part of the reason I can’t see it happening. They already have the players they want.”
Is Liverpool not signing a striker this summer a risk?
Admittedly, a striker isn’t as paramount for Liverpool as some of the positions mentioned above, but not bringing one in still feels like a risk.
Ekitike is still going to be out for many months and will take a long time to return to his best, while record signing Alexander Isak has shown that he can pick up fitness issues of his own.
Hopefully, the Swede overcomes these problems and is available most weeks next season, but there is a huge amount of pressure on him to stay fit.
Otherwise, Cody Gakpo will need to be used as a centre forward if he stays at Liverpool, which is far from ideal, and the Reds will once again be at risk of looking toothless in the final third.
They don’t need to spend big on a striker, but snapping up someone happy to play a squad role would make more sense than signing nobody at all.
