The 23-year-old has suffered a suspected Achilles injury, which will keep him out of the World Cup, as well as a sizeable chunk of next season. As such, it’s likely Liverpool will need to enter the market for yet another attacking addition, but who should they go for? Express Sport have highlighted four options the Reds should be looking at.
When you lose one former Eintracht Frankfurt forward, just go out and buy another? Omar Marmoush was the yin to Ekitike’s yang at Eintracht, with the two having worked together wonderfully. While the Manchester City forward is a somewhat different profile to his former team-mate, minutes haven’t been in high demand for Marmoush, who can play several positions across the front line. Plus, there’s a vacancy in the ‘Egyptian King’ department, given that Mohamed Salah is set to depart.
Liverpool have shown in the past that they aren’t afraid to pick up players from relegated teams. Wolves will go down this season and one of their bright sparks has been Mateus Mane. Granted, he’d be a squad player instead of a starter, but with the emergence of Rio Ngumoha, maybe Liverpool will opt to address their depth instead. Wolves are unlikely to hold out for a high fee, and Mane has dazzled at times for the soon-to-be-relegated side.
Who Liverpool go for though really depends on what hole they’re trying to plug. Ekitike is so versatile, it leaves them in even more of a pickle trying to find a replacement. If they go down the winger route, Yan Diomande looks like being one of their most suitable options, given the season he’s had with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The Merseysiders have bought from Leipzig in the past, and are already being mentioned in conversations surrounding the 19-year-old. He can play off both flanks, but is most adept operating off the left – somewhere that has been a problem position for Liverpool this season.
Meanwhile, if they opt to sign a striker, maybe Igor Thiago is a wildcard option? The Brentford man is the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season, behind only Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. He has recently put pen to paper on a new contract with the Bees, but at just 24 years old, could be a worthwhile investment for the future. Thiago might have to play second fiddle to Alexander Isak at times, but the Swede has shown his injury record isn’t to be trusted.