Imagine him & Ekitike: Liverpool lining up move for "world-class" £85m star

Liverpool fans were treated to some fine football last season, with Arne Slot's Reds barnstorming their way through the 2024/25 campaign and winning the Premier League comfortably.

To think that Slot achieved this, taking the baton from Jurgen Klopp as he did, without any real first-team investment, is quite unbelievable. FSG did move to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £12.5m, but he only started once in the top flight all term, that appearance coming in May, after the title had been wrapped up.

This summer, however, paints a different picture. Wide defenders Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong look fit for a title-winning squad, and Florian Wirtz even more so, the German creative joining Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee.

The matter of a centre-forward remains unresolved. Liverpool's top target is Newcastle United's Alexander Isak, but the Magpies are rather fond of their prized silver.

As such, a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike is in the works, with the Frenchman actually submitting a transfer request to speed things along. Such a profile is duly needed, especially with Luis Diaz facing a potential Anfield exit.

The latest on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future

Diaz, 28, is one of Slot's most trusted lieutenants. Last season, he enjoyed a career-best in England after notching 25 goal contributions across all competitions.

The Colombian, however, has entered the penultimate year of his contract and wants a pay rise. Such a rise doesn't seem to be forthcoming, and thus, he's seeking a route out of Merseyside.

Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been among the frontrunners, both enticed by Diaz's electric pace and his potency and his versatility across wide and central attacking berths.

However, Barcelona are now pushing ahead with a deal for Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, leaving Bayern and suitors over in the Saudi Pro League to engage in a straight shootout.

If Diaz does go, Liverpool will need a replacement, even though Cody Gakpo grew in strength last term and even though FSG plan to sign the versatile Ekitike.

Liverpool line up Diaz heir

Spanish reports have indicated that, while Arsenal remain favourites, Liverpool may yet push ahead and pursue a deal for Real Madrid's Rodrygo this summer.

The South American is widely considered one of the most talented forwards in the world, but Xabi Alonso's chock-full frontline has made him expendable.

Arsenal are preparing an offer worth €80m (£68m) for the Brazilian forward, though Los Blancos are expected to reject this as they hold out for their original €100m (£85m) asking price.

The potential for advancement over on Merseyside hinges solely on the outcome of Diaz's transfer saga.

Why Liverpool want Rodrygo

With Rodrygo's illustrious Real Madrid journey seemingly drawing to a close, Liverpool might find themselves regretting not making their move, should Diaz indeed leave.

The 24-year-old's track record speaks for itself. However, Rodrygo is rarely deployed on the left wing, his favourite and most productive position, for the Spanish giants have Vinicius Junior in that position, and Kylian Mbappe too.

By signing Rodrygo, Liverpool could secure a "world-class" winger, as he has been dubbed by former teammate Luka Modric, for the coming era, one who could combine with Ekitike to create a deadly strikeforce on the same level as Liverpool's before, when Jurgen Klopp was in his Anfield heyday.

This blend of experience and up-and-coming exuberance could work wonders for Slot's side, especially when considering there's a legendary figure in Mohamed Salah to complete the set on the right flank.

Even in spite of a 'poor' season, Rodrygo has finished with as many goal involvements as Diaz, and indeed, has wonderfully illustrated his propensity for impact when coming off the left, with six goals and six assists across only 12 matches as a left winger.

Rodrygo - Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25) Position Apps Goals Assists Right winger 31 8 5 Left winger 12 6 6 Centre-forward 10 0 0 Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, his six-goal haul in La Liga, while not a fine representation of his clinical edge by any stretch, also returned only one missed big chance, as per Sofascore, which plays right into Ekitike's hands.

Frankfurt's rising talent has the makings of an elite goalscorer, but he's also a sharp and intuitive player, capable of achieving a wide range of things when in full flow, which could make him a dream partner for Rodrygo at the top end of the pitch.

As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranked among the top 10% of strikers across Europe's top five leagues last season for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive carries and successful take-ons, and the top 20% for ball recoveries per 90.

What can we ascertain from this? Well, Ekitike's movements and link-up play would actively promote Rodrygo's own quest for goals. Hardly a target man in the strictest sense of the word, the adroit forward's ability to create and his knack and deceiving opponents with off-the-ball movement would play right into Rodrygo's goalscoring focus.

Not that the Real Madrid man is so one-dimensional. After all, in La Liga last season, he completed 91% of his passes while averaging 1.6 key passes per game, which is an absurd rate of crispness for one performing in and around the final third, especially when considering he chipped in with regular creative balls.

With a rich attacking crop and a system which was set up without a hitch last season, Slot will be confident that by adding players such as Ekitike and Rodrygo, he can grow his Liverpool team into an even more powerful and threatening state.

Such players could combine to create something truly special, not just set up to defend their Premier League title but also to challenge for the biggest prizes across the board. Year in, year out.

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