Liverpool’s Striker Solution – Julián Álvarez Slot’s Ideal Fit | OneFootball

Julián Alvarez Liverpool’s Perfect Summer Signing?

In the summer that Arne Slot arrived at Anfield, there was an internal decision to slowly transition away from the squad he inherited from his illustrious predecessor, Jürgen Klopp. Despite the Merseyside fanbase clamouring for new signings and exciting transfer deals before the start of this season, the choice to delicately move forward was undertaken by the returning Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards and his new Sporting Director, Richard Hughes.

In stark contrast to the scattergun dealings of both Chelsea and Manchester United, the new head coach of Anfield was supplemented with only Federico Chiesa as an opportunistic signing for just £10m. The future acquisition of Valencia’s giant stopper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, was never going to affect the LFC goalkeeping stable of 2024/25, therefore, all the linked names of prominence stayed at their respective clubs and Liverpool would continue forward with a trusted and established group.

In hindsight, that debatable recruitment decision has been proved correct and though I believe a winter addition should have been secured, the hierarchy at the AXA Training Centre and the esteemed former Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot have shown all the FSG-out supporters to be misguided and mistrusting of the Reds former Sporting Director, Edwards.

Concerning one of those summer names linked with a move to Anfield, one has recently rebounded back to the recruitment fore. The former Manchester City forward, Julián Alvarez, was sold by the Etihad giants last summer and despite Liverpool circling to sign the brilliant Argentine World Cup winner from their Premier League adversaries, the domestic rivalry and intricacies of a deal saw him eventually sign for Spanish club, Atletico Madrid.

Following a sensational first season in La Liga, the 25-year-old striker has once more been linked with the Reds and it appears that as the replacement search for both Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez continues, the Madrid man may once again prevail as a viable target after this season ends.

The Player Details

Julián Alvarez

Club – Atletico Madrid

Nationality – Argentina

Age – 25-years-old DOB – 21/01/2000

Playing Positions – CF / LF / RF

Preferred Foot – Right

Height – 5ft 7inch

Weight – 71kg

2024/25 Appearances – 43 games

2024/25 Minutes – 2’861 minutes

2024/25 Goals & Assists – 22 & 5

Contract Expiry – June 30 2028

Argentina Caps – 42 games

Argentina Goals & Assists – 11 & 2

Transfermarkt Value – €80m

Projected Cost of Deal – €90m

The Right Fit?

As a player who has the elite versatility to operate all across the entire front line, the River Plate academy graduate also delivers an extraordinary work rate that is required in this current version of Liverpool Football Club. Having secured a regular first-team role in Spain, the relentless attacker has elevated exponentially since moving out of the shadow of his former Manchester City teammate, Erling Haaland. Given that Atletico Madrid’s world-class manager, Diego Simeone, is striving to win this season’s La Liga title, it means that he will need the explosive services of his number 19 to overcome the two giants currently ahead of his side, Barcelona and bitter local rivals, Real Madrid.

As the agent of Alvarez states that there has been interest from Liverpool in the past and that a discussion of a departure must be shelved until the close of this enthralling campaign, it only adds fuel to the Merseyside fire. Given the misfiring antics of Arne Slots’ current striking options, it seems inevitable that at least two attackers will be recruited in the summer transfer window, as he aims to rebuild his scoring options as reigning Premier League champions. The international superstar is an intelligent and talented front-line operator who would fit perfectly into a central role at Anfield. The international teammate and close friend of Alexis Mac Allister may well be tempted by a return to England just one year after leaving Pep Guardiola’s struggling team, especially if the player pushes for the move.

In terms of a projected £90m fee to secure his services, the sales of Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa, and Luis Díaz, would recoup eye-watering amounts of funds to enhance Richard Hughes’s transfer war chest. It does seem like with the regeneration stalling last summer, it could be rejuvenated in just a few months. If the Reds were to sign the brilliant facilitator, Julián Alvarez, it would represent an immediate upgrade on current options, one that could be supplanted by other exciting new additions.