The 23-year-old is suspected of suffering an Achilles tendon injury and will miss the World Cup and a large part of next season. Liverpool therefore need to be in the market for further attacking reinforcements, but who should they sign? Express Sport has highlighted four options the Reds should consider.
If you lose one former Eintracht Frankfurt forward, do you just go buy another? At Eintracht, Omar Marmouche was the yin to Ekitike’s yang, and the two worked together brilliantly. The Manchester City forward has a slightly different profile to his former team-mate, but Marmouche, who can play multiple positions up front, is not expected to get as much playing time. Furthermore, with Mohamed Salah set to retire, there is also a vacancy in the “King of Egypt” category.
Liverpool have shown in the past that they are not afraid to sign players from relegated teams. Wolves have struggled this season, but one of their bright spots has been Matheus Mane. Granted, he will be a squad player rather than a starter, but with the emergence of Rio Ngmoha, perhaps Liverpool will choose to work on their depth instead. Wolves are unlikely to be able to survive a hefty transfer fee, with Mane sometimes a dazzling presence for a team on the verge of relegation.
However, who Liverpool target will depend on which hole they are looking to plug. Ekitike is so versatile that you’ll be in even more trouble finding a replacement. If they go the winger route, Yann Diomande would be one of the most suitable options, given his season with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. The Merseysiders have signed from Leipzig in the past and his name has already been mentioned in conversations regarding the 19-year-old. Although he can play on either flank, he is best at playing on the left, a position that has been a problem for Liverpool this season.
On the other hand, if they choose to sign a striker, perhaps Igor Thiago would be a wildcard option? The Brentford man is the second highest scorer in the Golden Boot race in the Premier League this season, behind Erling Haaland. He only recently put pen to paper on a new contract with the Bees, but he’s only 24 years old and could be a valuable investment for the future. Thiago may have to play second fiddle behind Alexander Isak at times, but the Swede’s injury record shows he can’t be trusted.
