The Priority
Liverpool need at least three of these guys.
So earlier this week, The Redmen TV launched a new show on YouTube, and I became the first person to test out the concept. I was basically asked to replace Richard Hughes this summer.
It’s always cool to conduct experiments like that. You realise what it must be like to balance contracts, budgets, futures and points all at once. We expect a lot as supporters, but living in that world must be tough.
One of the things I realised while playing the game was just how much Hugo Ekitike’s availability has probably impacted the landscape. The Frenchman picked up what is essentially the worst possible injury for a footballer just a few weeks ago, rupturing his Achilles.
It’s reasonable to suggest that he’s unlikely to play a single minute of football next season, which means — from the perspective of a sporting director — he kinda doesn’t exist at the moment.
With Ekitike fading into the background, Mohamed Salah leaving Anfield and Arne Slot already suffering from a lack of offensive options, Liverpool have got a huge summer ahead when it comes to what happens in the final third.
So transfer windows tend to get planned well in advance. The March international break is usually a big one for Liverpool when it comes to getting ducks in a row, agreeing deals, speaking to potential targets.
Well, Slot no longer has Ekitike available next term. A player who would’ve surely been regarded as pretty integral in March when Hughes mapped out most of his summer blueprint.
His absence can’t not be considered as Liverpool prepare to spend this summer. Slot simply doesn’t have enough players up front. That’s been the case all season, and now it’s notably worse because of Ekitike’s injury and Salah’s departure.
He’s basically got Isak — who has a history of missing games — Cody Gakpo, and Rio Ngumoha, who is 17 years old. That’s literally it. Beyond that, I’m pretty sure Federico Chiesa will leave. Jeremie Frimpong isn’t a forward. And Florian Wirtz is more of a midfielder in my book.
