Could Viktor Gyökeres Be Liverpool’s Next No. 9?
This is an abridged version; the full article by Dr Phil Barter is available on our ‘It Was Always… Liverpool’ Substack page:
Positional Intelligence and Movement
Viktor Gyökeres brings a rare blend of positional discipline and forward intelligence that Liverpool have lacked since Roberto Firmino’s peak. At Sporting CP, he thrives in Zone 14, the central area just outside the penalty box, where he links up play and creates danger. In one match alone, 43 percent of his threat came from this zone, with another 32 percent just behind it.
Gyökeres connects smoothly with midfielders and wingers, offering combination play without disrupting width or depth. When the ball progresses, he transforms from facilitator to finisher, slipping into goal-scoring positions with minimal fuss. This dual role, as both playmaker and predator, fits neatly into what Arne Slot may be building at Liverpool.
Clinical Finishing and Smart Shot Selection
In the 2024–25 Primeira Liga season, Gyökeres scored 39 goals in 33 games, adding 6 more in the Champions League. He posted 30.8 xG in the league, with a non-penalty xG of 21.4, showing he scores from high-quality chances. Set-pieces are not inflating his numbers; most of his threat comes in open play or counters.
Crucially, his shot map reveals mature shot discipline. In a recent game, all six of his shots came inside the box, five were on target, and his xG per shot hit 0.27. Four were taken from between the posts, and he improved shot value by 30 percent with sharp execution. He does not waste chances or take hopeful strikes. He finishes what matters.
Intelligent Pressing Without Overextending
Gyökeres is not an all-out presser like Diogo Jota, but his defensive work is smart. He presses mainly in central areas, especially around Zone 14, disturbing the opposition’s deepest midfielder. He also engages in half-spaces without overcommitting.
This makes him ideal for a structured press under Slot, where control matters more than chaos. He is not the leader of the press but can be a useful cog in a coordinated system. With some coaching, his defensive game could be elevated to suit Liverpool’s style.
Chemistry With Creators
Passing maps from Sporting show Gyökeres links best with the left winger and both 8s. This bodes well with Liverpool’s shape, especially with players like Szoboszlai and Mac Allister in advanced roles. He averages 22.76 passes per match, completing 71.4 percent. Not outstanding, but purposeful.
The real signal lies in his movement. He ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive passes received, showing he constantly offers himself in key spaces. That makes him a reliable outlet for an attack already full of creators.
Final Verdict
Gyökeres, 27, might not be cheap at £60 to £70 million, and he is not a pressing machine. But he is one of Europe’s most efficient penalty-box forwards. For a team needing end-product and positional intelligence over raw potential, he could be a smart bet.
