Liverpool cruised to the 2024/25 Premier League title with ease, as Arne Slot’s men secured the crown with a ten-point cushion over their nearest challengers, Arsenal. Remarkably, they achieved this feat without a consistently in-form or traditional striker leading the line.
Darwin Nunez endured another difficult season, registering just five goals in the league and seemingly heading towards a move to Napoli. Diogo Jota, hampered by recurring injuries, managed only six goals in a disappointing individual campaign.
Beyond the ever-reliable Mohamed Salah, only Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo managed to hit double digits in league goals. However, neither of them played as a conventional centre-forward during the title-winning campaign.
Although Roberto Firmino previously excelled in a false nine role under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have gone years without a true central striker. This absence stretches back to the prolific days of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres.
Having already spent around £178 million this summer, recent reports suggest that long wait for a new number nine might soon be over.
Liverpool Lodge Bid as Striker Search Ramps Up
Avoid mentioning Alexander Isak. Still, the Swedish forward continues to be Liverpool’s ideal target, with Empire of the Kop reporting that the Newcastle United striker had been the club’s original ‘Plan A’ going into the summer.
However, the same report admits that signing the 25-year-old appears too ‘difficult’ at this stage, largely because Newcastle are unwilling to accept any bid below £150 million for their prized asset.
As a result, Liverpool are now believed to be prioritising Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, with the £85 million-rated Frenchman reportedly emerging as the frontrunner. Ekitike is said to be open to a move but is prepared to wait while the Reds look to raise funds through player sales.
In a surprising twist, Empire of the Kop also revealed that Liverpool have submitted a proposal to Napoli for Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, as the Premier League title holders explore a potential player-plus-cash arrangement for the 26-year-old.
The proposed offer reportedly includes Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa, along with an additional £17 million, with Napoli now considering the bid carefully.
With just one year remaining on his contract in Naples—following a loan spell at Galatasaray last season—Osimhen appears likely to move on. Anfield could very well be the ideal next step for his career.
Comparing Osimhen to Hugo Ekitike
To begin with, Liverpool should not dismiss the idea of Hugo Ekitike replacing Darwin Nunez, especially considering the 23-year-old is coming off an outstanding season in Germany.
After a difficult stint on the fringes at Paris Saint-Germain, the explosive attacker has re-established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, recording a combined 34 goals and assists during the 2024/25 campaign.
He has rightly been described as “one of the best strikers out there,” according to analyst Ben Mattinson, and it’s hardly surprising that such impressive numbers have caught the attention of Liverpool’s decision-makers.
That said, while Ekitike’s rise has been impressive over the past year, Victor Osimhen offers a more proven pedigree. The Napoli striker has consistently delivered at a high level for several seasons, making him a more reliable source of goals.
Loaned out to Turkey last season, the prolific Nigerian forward netted 37 goals and added eight assists across just 41 appearances in all competitions.
| Ekitike vs Osimhen – 24/25 Europa League stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat (per 90) | Ekitike | Osimhen |
| Non-penalty goals | 0.45 | 0.76 |
| Shots | 2.89 | 7.32 |
| Assists | 0.33 | 0.15 |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.34 | 3.81 |
| Progressive passes | 2.23 | 0.92 |
| Progressive carries | 2.34 | 1.83 |
| Touches in attacking penalty area | 6.23 | 9.92 |
| Aerial duels won | 2.56 | 4.27 |
| Stats: FBref | ||
In the Europa League, Osimhen was a constant threat, scoring six times and providing two assists in just seven appearances. By contrast, Ekitike registered four goals and three assists across 12 matches during Frankfurt’s run to the semi-finals.
As shown in the statistics, Ekitike excels as a progressive passer and ball-carrier. However, Osimhen offers far more as a focal point—dominant in duels and lethal inside the box.
Crucially, Osimhen’s standout season wasn’t a one-off. The Nigerian forward has scored 76 goals in 133 appearances for his parent club, adding to the 18 he netted in 38 games for Lille and 20 in 36 for Charleroi in Belgium.
The only exception in his club career came during a goalless 17-game spell at Wolfsburg. Outside of that, he boasts an impressive tally of 151 goals in 264 senior club matches. Ekitike, three years his junior, has scored 44 goals in 136 club appearances.
That’s not to diminish Ekitike’s talent—he remains a promising and exciting forward—but when weighing up striker options, Osimhen arguably stands out as the elite choice.
As Statman Dave put it, he could well be the “best striker on the market” at present.
In other news, Liverpool Transfer News as Next Reds Deal Moves Closer as Luis Diaz Decision Reached