“One To Consider” – Paul Gorst On Liverpool Linked Attacker Who Would Cost ‘Huge Money’ | OneFootball

By James Cranford

After two traumatic defeats in a row, an unusual concept has sprung forth – Liverpool fans being thankful for an international break!

The Reds will be back in action in early April when they take on Everton at Anfield. Arne Slot will be hoping for more from his players following a dreadful performance in the Carabao Cup Final.

Much has been made of the recent struggles of Slot’s forward line, with star man Mohamed Salah struggling to make an impact at Wembley. Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota have contributed just three goals in a combined 41 appearances – a situation that has left many fans hoping for attacking reinforcements come the summer transfer window.

Earlier this week, Winwin Sports journalist Ismael Mahmoud tweeted that LFC had made enquiries into the possibility of signing Argentina star Julián Alvarez last season, before his eventual move to Atlético Madrid. Mahmoud quoted Alvarez’s agent Fernando Hidalgo, who said: ‘I confirm that Liverpool was interested in Julián last season. As for the future, this is not the right time to talk about it.’

Does the interest in Alvarez remain? As one of the form attackers in world football, many onlookers would consider him an upgrade on the club’s current options through the middle.

On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on the Alvarez story.

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“We’re not sure what the situation is with this one. Whether it was genuine interest from Liverpool last summer, or whether that interest still remains, or whether now it’s been intensified because they feel he’s at a club where they can prise him away more easily than they could at City.

“You look at the figure that he went to Atletico for – upwards of £85 million in the end, was it? With add-ons and stuff. That’s huge money for Liverpool.

“They don’t tend to pay that too often. Darwin Núñez is a bit of an exception to the rule on that one. Would they have paid that last summer while Núñez was still at the club? Can’t really see it.

“That goal he scored against Real Madrid, it was brilliant, wasn’t it? In the first leg. He’s at a good age. Argentine international, a very good player. The fact that he’s no longer a City player probably makes things a bit smoother if Liverpool would be planning to either return to the table or visit the table for the first time, depending on who you believe.

“He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one to consider going forward in terms of the number 9s Liverpool could look to bring in. He’s a little bit more versatile than an out-and-out striker, but he’s certainly good enough to play through the middle.”

Redmen Reacts

With just nine games remaining of Arne Slot’s first season in charge of Liverpool, questions remain on the play style of his ideal number nine. Jota appears to be in the box seat but has desperately struggled for form since his latest long injury layoff. Núñez does not seem to have the full trust of his manager, who publicly rebuked him for a perceived lack of effort following his miss against Aston Villa. Julián Alvarez, however, would certainly fit the bill. He has progressed from a good Premier League player at Manchester City to one of Europe’s best, dovetailing nicely with the likes of Antoine Griezmann. Price (as usual) would appear to be the major sticking point. Alvarez was transferred for an exorbitant fee just last summer, so he would likely become Liverpool’s club record signing if he were to make the move. In the world of ‘Football Manager’, perhaps Darwin heading the other way could sweeten the deal, but life so rarely mimics virtual reality!