Assessing Liverpool's Strike Force and How It Compares in the EPL
If Liverpool has had any recent problems, they involve the defensive and midfield elements of The Reds’ game. Jürgen Klopp’s team will always score goals with the array of global attacking talent at the manager’s disposal.
Liverpool’s Fab Five
In the past, Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mané completed an incredible forward trio with the world-class Mohamed Salah. The Reds now have four other fantastic attacking talents competing with Salah for starting positions.
Mohamed Salah
Since joining Liverpool in 2017/18, Mohamed Salah has scored 187 goals in 307 appearances. The Egyptian maestro’s consistency is beyond compare, with at least 19 league goals in each of his completed seasons at Anfield. Sure, current rumours of a €150 million transfer to Saudi Arabia are of concern to some Kopites, but the smart money is on Salah staying at Anfield.
Having Salah in the squad assures Liverpool of close to 20 extra league goals per season. He has won three Golden Boots and assisted in the league 66 times so far. Bettors certainly appreciate having him in the Premier League as he is a fairly safe bet when looking at players to score or assist.
It may be challenging for punters to place early match bets on The Reds’ other individual attackers, but Mo Salah is almost guaranteed to start. Watching the odds and EPL tips at several sportsbooks will help to identify which others will join him in specific matches. Of course, understanding how to choose between new UK betting sites will ensure you find a suitable platform to bet on Salah or other goalscorers, as some sites have better player markets than others.
Luis Diaz
Of his other forward line options available, Jürgen Klopp will likely pencil in Columbia’s Luis Diaz next on the team sheet, so watch his odds. The skilful left-sided forward already has two goals this season and is back to his best following his 2022/23 injury.
Diaz is a handful for any defender when he’s on song, and his finish against Bournemouth indicates he’s not only about speed and dribbling. With 10 goals and five assists in his 32 league games for The Reds thus far, he’s worth a goal involvement in every second game he plays. Luis Diaz is hard to leave out of a Liverpool team when he’s firing.
Darwin Núñez
Núñez’s two-goal cameo at St. James Park to grab all three points from a shellshocked Newcastle belied his role as a bit-part player so far this season. When signed last season, many compared the Uruguayan striker with Man City’s Erling Haaland. Besides some flashes of brilliance, these comparisons were well off the mark at the time.
Darwin Núñez’s two clinical finishes at Newcastle will likely up the confidence needed for greater consistency. He has the speed and ability to beat the offside trap and is a natural goalscorer. He was only shy of a little composure in front of goal last season, and early indications are that he’s now found this.
Cody Gakpo
The Dutch international was sensational during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Playing on the left side, Cody Gakpo scored three goals in Qatar, catching the attention of several major clubs. Liverpool moved fast last January, securing the in-demand PSV star’s services.
After a brief settling-in period, Gakpo shone in Liverpool Red. Most recently used in the departed Firmino’s position, the Dutchman fits Klopp’s system like a glove. He distributes well and can find the gaps, and his versatility is immensely valuable to the team. And, as he showed in Qatar, he has an eye for goal to boot.
Diogo Jota
Last but not least among Liverpool’s five forwards is the Portuguese international, Diogo Jota. In 79 league appearances, Jota has scored 32 goals, proving his worth. He is more of a poacher than The Reds’ other forwards, consistently losing his markers in the box. Jota is also more than capable with his head considering his 1.78 m frame.
Diogo Jota is also versatile and can play on either flank as well as through the middle. Even while plagued by injury last season, the 26-year-old still scored seven valuable goals in his 22 league outings. Jota already has a goal this term, and being fit again means he’s sure to score a good number more.
How Does Liverpool’s Strike Force Compare?
Ex-England international Chris Sutton recently had the following to say on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“If you look at Liverpool’s frontline and the fact they can leave Jota and Nunez on the bench, that’s a formidable frontline … it’s hard to think of another team in the Premier League who have that strength in depth.”
Sutton’s comments ring true. Although many Premier League sides have two or three capable forward players, Liverpool’s five attackers provide added depth and cover. They’re also all proven goalscorers.
For this reason alone, Liverpool’s current strike force is better than most. The individual brilliance of an Erling Haaland or the guile and youthful inventiveness of a Bukayo Saka is a huge plus in a team. The problems start when they’re not available, though.
