Liverpool’s return to the summit of English football has marked a remarkable beginning to a new era at the club under Arne Slot. 

In his debut campaign, the Dutch head coach guided the Reds to the Premier League title after a five-year drought, and it was a season that restored belief, redefined roles and reasserted Liverpool’s credentials at the top table. 

Yet, even as they celebrate winning number twenty, the need for a more dominant presence at the top of the pitch remains a pressing issue. 

Liverpool currently have a plethora of attacking options at their disposal, six to be exact, but beneath the surface, inconsistences have persisted. 

Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool confirm move as Viktor Gyokeres announcement made	Everton 'want to sign' Liverpool starlet who has also attracted attention from Crystal Palace	Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool confirm move, Gyokeres announcement, Pogba offered to club

Mohamed Salah’s record-breaking season of twenty-nine goals and eighteen assists in the league alone, once again underlined his ever-lasting influence. 

Behind him, the supporting cast have struggled in forward areas. 

Darwin Núñez remains a conundrum capable of brilliance, but often erratic in execution. 

Diogo Jota is a proven finisher yet remains unavailable for large portions of the campaign. 

As for the wide men of Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz, the latter has contributed the most, but the jury is still out on the long-term future of Liverpool’s current forward line. 

The Reds will now prepare for a critical summer and the need for a complete number nine is a necessity. 

Viktor Gyokeres has caught the attention of top clubs and we will be highlighting why Liverpool should place themselves firmly in the conversation for the Sporting Lisbon striker. 

THE NUMBERS DON’T LIEFilipe Amorim/AFP.

Gyokeres has just completed a sensational season in Portugal, notching thirty-six goals and fourteen assists in all competitions. 

The forward was ranked among the top players in Europe for both non-penalty goals and shot conversion rate. 

In contrast to Liverpool’s current crop, the next best behind Mohamed Salah’s incredible tally was Luis Diaz with thirteen,  mere sixteen goals adrift of the Egyptian. 

This indicates that the Reds lack a player that can take the burden away from their star man and Gyokeres can exactly the kind of ruthless streak required for sustained success. 

The numbers tell a clear story, but if Liverpool want to evolve as champions, they need a centre-forward with consistent output. 

A PERFECT PROFILE 

It’s not just the statistics that make Viktor Gyokeres a must-watch, it’s how seamlessly he would fit into the Arne Slot blueprint. 

Liverpool have leaned into a more controlled, possession-heavy approach with structured pressing that requires a forward who can both lead the line and offer support. 

Someone who doesn’t just wait for chances, but creates them through smart movement, physicality and tactical awareness. 

At Sporting, Gyokeres has shown all the hallmarks of the complete package. 

The Swede can lead the press, bully defenders, drop deep to receive the ball and offer clever link-up play between teammates. 

He’s not exactly a blunt instrument. 

Gyokeres is a modern striker with finesse, intelligent running and possesses the ability to operate in tight spaces. 

With wide attackers like Mo Salah and Luis Diaz, he would become the focal point to hold everything together. 

Liverpool aren’t a football club built for passengers and Viktor Gyokeres provides all the attributes of a forward who would hit the ground running. 

NO ROOM FOR HESITATION 

The Portuguese club inserted a £85million release clause in the forward’s deal for a reason. 

They know what they have and more importantly, so do the rest of Europe. 

Arsenal and Manchester United are firmly aware of Gyokeres’s situation, just like European heavyweights such as Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and in a summer where elite number nine options are limited, the Sporting star is a hot commodity. 

Liverpool have found themselves to miss out on top targets in recent windows and the lesson is simple. 

If the club believe someone is the right fit, they must act and not admire from a distance. 

This summer, the Reds are almost certain to have funds available.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has joined Brentford.

Image: Brentford FC.

Caoimhin Kelleher became the first sale of the window, leaving for Brentford in a deal worth £12.5million with potential add-ons to be included and high-profile names such as Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Kostas Tsimikas and Federico Chiesa could all lean towards the exit door. 

With Viktor Gyokeres, there is no need for compromise. 

At twenty-six, he fits the right profile and is about to hit his prime years meaning Liverpool cannot afford to hesitate on any such deal. 

MAXIMISING SALAH’S YEARS 

There’s also the bigger picture to consider when targeting a new centre-forward and that is if they can ease some of the weight off of Mohamed Salah’s shoulders.

 

The Egyptian King will turn thirty-three before the 2025/26 season gets underway and has shown little sign of slowing down. 

But logic dictates that Liverpool need to start thinking about how to get the absolute best out of Salah while he remains world-class.

Mohamed Salah cannot continue to produce record-breaking numbers alone and Liverpool recognise that.

David Rawcliffe/Propaganda.

That means surrounding him with players who complement his game and take away the physical burden off him. 

Gyokeres could be that enabler. 

He can occupy defenders which will free Salah and allow him to stay high, rather than dropping deep, while crucially, he is an attacking threat in his own right, meaning their current talisman no longer must be the sole focus of opposition defences. 

It’s the kind of synergy that Liverpool haven’t seen since the days of Salah alongside Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane at their peak. 

If the club are to extract another elite season from Mohamed Salah, they must build the attack with purpose and Viktor Gyokeres is the missing piece. 

Liverpool may be the Premier League champions but now arrives the harder part of staying on top. 

Standing still cannot become an option with their rivals all plotting major reinforcements. 

The Reds don’t just need another attacking option, they need a focal point. 

A striker who can turn dominance into goals, tight games into wins and a strong squad into a complete one.

 

Viktor Gyokeres can be that forward, with the Swede hungry to take the next step in his career. 

If Liverpool want to consolidate their position at the very pinnacle of England and in Europe, then securing his signature would be a decisive step towards that goal.

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