OPINION
Liverpool have no plans to sign a new striker this summer – and that is a big mistake by Jurgen Klopp.
The Anfield boss cannot rely upon Roberto Firmino to spearhead the attack for the entirety of a marathon campaign, despite the Brazilian’s famed durability and appetite for work.
Liverpool need to recruit a blue-chip alternative who can either compete for a regular starting spot, or provide dynamic cover from the bench.
Echo correspondent James Pearce has reported in a question-and-answer session with supporters on the newspaper’s live blog (Monday, 1.13pm) that he’s “not aware of Klopp looking to buy a central striker” and the back-ups are set to be Danny Ings and rookies Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster.
Daniel Sturridge is said to be heading for the exit door and Divock Origi could also be offloaded although the manager will make a final decision on the Belgian in pre-season.
It is to the credit of Klopp that he doesn’t want to block the path of Brewster, the 18-year-old centre-forward who is close to signing a new contract.
The teenager has earned rave reviews for his performances at age-group level for club and country, and hopes are high he could make a big impact at Anfield next season.
Yet, is he going to score the 10-15 goals needed of a second-choice striker at an elite club?
That is the kind of return Marcus Rashford can be inked in for at Manchester United next season. The same goes for whichever of Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus is the deputy at Manchester City.
Ings is a fine player but a level or two below that required of a Liverpool striker, while Solanke is promising but more raw than uncooked chicken.
Liverpool need a top alternative to Firmino, and Klopp is deluding himself if he thinks that’s not the case.