Sources: Liverpool work on signing world-beating one vs one specialist
Liverpool are laying the groundwork to sign a one vs one forward this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Merseysiders bought three attacking stars during their record-breaking blitz last summer as the front line was completely reshaped.
But sources say there is an acceptance that Liverpool do not have a direct forward who can dribble past players in the manner of former attackers Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz.
The club’s scouts and data analysts are assessing players in that mould aged 24 or below, who have the potential to make a big impact for the Premier League champions.
Liverpool have struggled to break down teams who defend deep this season, despite the impressive impact made by Hugo Ekitike and the growing authority of Florian Wirtz.
A one vs one specialist is believed to be seen by the club’s recruitment team as the final piece in the jigsaw for the newly configured attack, which has missed record signing Alexander Isak for most of his wretched debut season.
Liverpool’s goalscoring exploits see huge drop-off from 2024-25
Mohamed Salah’s tumultuous season for Liverpool is another contributing factor to their drop-off in front of goal compared to last term.
The Egyptian has just four league goals since the start of the season, leaving Ekitike as the only man to have surpassed the five-goal mark in Premier League action.
The Reds are currently scoring at a rate of just 1.6 goals per game in the Premier League, which is a far cry from their final tally of 2.3 per game from last season.
| 2025-26 | Stats | 2024-25 |
| 1.6 | Goals per Game | 2.3 |
| -0.3 | xG over/under performance | +2.5 |
| 4.4 | Shots on Target per Game | 6.1 |
| 10.5% | Conversion Rate | 13.3% |
Arne Slot’s men are also no longer outperforming their xG, something which played a notable role in their title-winning campaign last time out.
Liverpool have already identified the lack of variety in their attack as a key contributor to their relative struggles in the final third, as they look set to go in search of a pacy ball-carrier in the market.
The likes of Mane and Diaz both flourished under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, and the Anfield outift now appear to be chasing something of a return to that style of frontline.
Keith Wyness takes swipe at Ibrahima Konate for Liverpool form
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Liverpool are still happy with Ibrahima Konate in their starting XI, despite the fact that he looks set to leave as a free agent in the summer.
The Reds have tried to tie the centre-back down to a new contract on several occasions, but each of their attempts have failed, leaving him set to walk away from the club for free in a matter of months.
Wyness was quick to point out that he feels it is no coincidence that Konate’s form at the heart of the backline has begun to improve in recent weeks, as he looks to put himself in the shop window for potential suitors.
Liverpool have already secured the signing of Jeremy Jacquet for the start of next season, and Wyness feels that they will finally be content to see Konate walk away as a result.