Liverpool New No.9 Priority: Is Alexander Isak the Answer to Their Striker Puzzle?

With Darwin Nunez’s future uncertain, Liverpool draw up five-man shortlist in search of a new No.9

The striker market is always a tricky one. Prices are inflated, options limited, and timing is everything. For Liverpool, the hunt is on—and at the top of their summer to-do list is one clear priority: signing a new No.9. With Darwin Nunez the subject of ongoing speculation and Arne Slot eager to stamp his tactical identity on the squad, Anfield’s transfer room is bracing for big decisions.

According to The Athletic, the Reds have shortlisted five potential forwards who could lead the line for the club next season, with Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak emerging as a standout name among the group. It’s a move that would signal a change in direction—but also one that makes a lot of footballing sense.

The Darwin Nunez Dilemma

Liverpool ısak

Darwin Nunez arrived at Anfield with huge expectations. A blockbuster £85 million signing from Benfica in 2022, he was meant to be the long-term heir to Roberto Firmino. But despite flashes of brilliance and undeniable athleticism, consistency has often eluded the Uruguayan.

Now, with Napoli and Saudi giants Al-Hilal circling, Liverpool are open to the idea of letting him go—at the right price. The club has not actively pushed him toward the exit door, but should a sizeable bid land on the desk of sporting director Richard Hughes, a deal could be greenlit.

It would mark the end of a polarising chapter—one filled with promise but never quite the clinical edge Liverpool needed in the final third.

Five-Man Shortlist: Isak Leads the Line

With Nunez potentially heading out, Hughes and Slot have compiled a five-man shortlist of forward options, according to the report. The names include:

• Alexander Isak (Newcastle)

• Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt)

• Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

• Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

• Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea)

Of those five, Isak and Ekitike are reportedly viewed as the most realistic targets in terms of availability and affordability. Osimhen would command a massive fee, with Napoli unlikely to budge from his €130 million release clause. Jackson, meanwhile, has only just completed his first season at Chelsea, while Gyokeres is under a long-term deal in Lisbon and is also attracting interest from clubs like Arsenal and PSG.

Isak, however, ticks a lot of boxes. Technically gifted, intelligent in his movement, and capable of both creating and finishing chances, he enjoyed a standout season at Newcastle last year, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. He offers a blend of finesse and physicality that could slot seamlessly into Arne Slot’s high-intensity, possession-based approach.

Slot’s System Demands a Different No.9

Preston North End v Liverpool – Pre-Season Friendly

One of the hallmarks of Slot’s Feyenoord side was fluid, positional interchange and a striker who could do more than just finish. Liverpool have seen glimpses of that with Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota operating as false nines, but neither offers the ideal long-term solution as a central focal point.

During their first pre-season friendly—a 3-1 win over Preston—Slot trialled Federico Chiesa in the No.9 role. It was a curious experiment, and although Chiesa played with energy, he lacked the instincts of a natural striker. It’s clear that Liverpool are still feeling out their options.

New arrivals Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez were both handed minutes, showing early signs of promise in wide areas, but the need for a reliable presence through the middle remains glaringly obvious.

The Luis Diaz Question

While much of the talk has focused on Nunez, there has also been speculation surrounding Luis Diaz. The Colombian winger has drawn interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but the consensus at Anfield is that he is staying put.

Diaz remains a key figure in Liverpool’s wide attack, and the club has no intention of selling unless an irresistible offer is made. His status, however, does add further urgency to securing a proper No.9 to complement the rest of the front line.

With Mohamed Salah entering the final year of his contract, and Jota still recovering from injury, Liverpool’s attacking core is facing a potential transition. And Hughes knows that addressing the striker position now is not just about short-term results—it’s about future-proofing the squad.

Isak: The Right Man at the Right Time?

Of all the options on the table, Alexander Isak feels like the one that fits best. At 24, he has room to grow, and his Premier League experience means he could hit the ground running. His profile as a player—able to link play, stretch defences, and remain calm in one-on-one situations—aligns with what Slot needs in his central striker.

Newcastle, for their part, may not be eager to sell, but with Financial Fair Play restrictions and their own squad rebuild in motion, a substantial offer from Liverpool could be tempting.

Even if a deal proves difficult, the mere fact that Liverpool are seriously evaluating their No.9 position is telling. The days of Firmino are gone. Nunez, it seems, may follow. What lies ahead could be the start of a new attacking era at Anfield.

What’s Next for Liverpool?

Liverpool now head east for the next leg of their pre-season campaign, with high-profile friendlies lined up against AC Milan in Hong Kong (July 26) and Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan (July 30).

It’s an important stretch—not just for fitness and tactics, but also to evaluate personnel. Will Isak be on the plane before long? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Liverpool are hunting for a new No.9, and the summer transfer window is far from over.