All of the Football Fancustos are devastated by the tragic passages of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We send thoughts and prayers to their friends, family, teammates and loved ones.
Liverpool could only wonder what it would be like to sit on top before Jurgen Klopp returned to replace Brendan Rogers.
But the strong desire for greater success came into full colour over a period of sustained success that brought all forms of silverware back to Anfield’s trophy cabinet.
And when Arne Slot replaced German last summer after he “drained energy,” he thought it was, in his own words, that was the end of a glorious era remembered for years.
It does not prove the case. Most rivals expected the Reds to fall or at least trip down the road ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, but Liverpool is the Premier League champion and deserves a winner, a dominant winner.
Multiple threads connect two eras, but that very important piece at the heart of everything in the red half of Merseyside in recent years is Mohamed Sarah.
And he is ready to continue his iconic journey.
Mohamed Sarah’s Future of Liverpool
Liverpool ended months of uneasy speculation in April and extended Sarah’s contract with Liverpool for two more years. His £350,000-a-week deal was set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season.
He’s no longer a spring chicken, but Sarah still very much reflects his greatness towards the field. Last year he led the slot Premier League title charge, notching 47 goal contributions across the league campaign (highest record of 38 game season).
His vicious blend of lethal shooting and intelligent playmaking established him as one of the best advancements of his generation.
Sarah is currently 33 years old, but he has all the tools to build another successful season for himself and his team. Supplies him with someone like Florian Wirtz, who signed from Bayer Leverkusen to seek a fee of £116 million in the UK. Do you really have any doubts?
Plus, Liverpool wants to sign centre forward to replace Darwin Nunes, and he is perfect for the king of Egypt.
Liverpool will hold talks with new strikers
According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool is interested in signing Hugo Ekitike this summer and has been in touch with players, but they face tough competition with Newcastle United.
Chelsea also showed interest this summer, but the recent acquisition of the £60 million Joao Pedro has eased their desires.
Eintracht Frankfurt Striker is one of the most coveted players on the market, but he is valued at £85 million, which discourages suitors from making concrete moves.
Nevertheless, from the amounts from Nunes (and Luis Diaz, who draws plots from Bayern Munich and Barcelona), they have the means and focus to sign a frontman who has what it takes to move forward and become a superstar.
Why Liverpool wants Hugo Ekichike
Ekitike, like a fledgling on the professional stage, has been recognized as an exciting offensive talent from his time, with talent scout Jacek Kulig saying “he can reach world-class striker level.”
He demonstrated that way in the Bundesliga over the past year, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists in all competitions last season. He previously spent half seasons with Dye Adler and Loan, dressed in an advanced role that was apart from the bloated fringe of Paris Saint-Germain.
And what a decision was made to build his own path from the French capital. The data is certainly Ekitique friendly. Because he ranked in the top 16% of Europe’s top 5 leagues due to goal involvement last season, top 6% of shot-making action, top 4% of progressive carry and successful take-ons, and top 20% of ball recovery rates per 90 per 90.
Ball recovery is defined by the number of loose balls recovered by the player.
The metrics of the latter are interesting. Ekitique is a mobility and quick person. He wants someone to get things done on his own and stay in the waiting time for delivery posted to his front door.
This is especially important to Sarah’s continued success. Liverpool legend has actually reached a bit, and a robust and reliable centre-forward like Ekitique helps him save his energy for key moments.
The Frenchman may not be on the same level as Sarah, but he has a similarly diverse approach to his offensive play.
It is important to remember that Ekitike is not yet a finished product, but he has already been hailed as “one of the best strikers” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and his progress has risen over the past few seasons.
He will certainly prove Nunes’ upgrades that are deeply tied to his move to Naples this summer.
Hugo Ekitke vs Darwin Nunez (24/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | impartial | Nuness |
The goal scored | 0.53 | 0.40 |
assist | 0.28 | 0.16 |
Shot taken | 4.00 | 2.70 |
Shot creation action | 3.55 | 2.46 |
Touch (on the pen) | 6.88 | 5.88 |
Progressive Pass | 1.86 | 2.14 |
Progressive Carry | 3.27 | 1.83 |
A successful take-on | 1.83 | 0.64 |
Ball recovery | 3.06 | 3.26 |
Tackle + Intercept | 0.81 | 1.99 |
All data via FBREF | ||
Nunes is known for his connections with Sarah and supported the right wing 11 times throughout his entire career at Liverpool. Can you imagine a more refined and established front playing with him, like Ekitike?
Additionally, the forward is blessed with a specific instinct that allows him to latch quickly to Sarah’s ingenious passes, his whip cross, and skillful layoffs.
As explained by teammate Rasmus Kristensen, this “incredible” young prospect is on the fastest track at the top of the game, and Liverpool has to do everything they can to hoist at Anfield this summer.
He is even the perfect partner for Sarah in the coming years, bringing energy and dynamism to cultivate the 33-year-old’s technical brilliance.
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