Liverpool’s summer business would appear to be at an end.
A deal for Bradley Barcola to join for a £123m fee has just been announced. And as it stands – unless Cody Gakpo is sold – no more signings are likely.
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That is a risk for Andoni Iraola in certain positions where he isn’t well-stocked. Take centre-forward for example.
Liverpool centre-forward options are thin on the ground
Liverpool have managed to onboard Victor Munoz and Barcola for the wings this summer – but remain with only one senior option at No9.
Alexander Isak, the £125m signing from Newcastle last summer, scored at the weekend in the 2-2 Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest.
But it would be a mistake for the Merseysiders to rely on Isak alone throughout the autumn and winter – until Hugo Ekitike is back fit.
Alexander Isak unsupported until Ekitike is back
Isak, 26, doesn’t have the strongest track record when it comes to his availability. And beneath him the squad depth is poor due to Ekitike’s achilles injury.
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The 23-year-old is not expected back until the new year – meaning Iraola will have to soldier on with only one senior, fit No9. That is unless a player emerges from further down the ranks – namely the youth and academy sector.
Happily for the Basque tactico it would appear that the ideal candidate is emerging.
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Will Wright cannot stop scoring
Will Wright, 18, should be given a few minutes here and there to prove himself in the first team over the next few months. Signed from Salford City under the noses of Arsenal last summer Wright set about impressing at youth and underage levels last season.
The teenager was included in the preseason touring squad for the United States – earning game time at No9 under the new head coach.
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Right now he is with Rob Page’s Premier League 2 side – scoring twice in a 2-1 win over their Leeds United counterparts on Sunday. The first goal was a penalty and the second exuded panache – a smart, first-time finish beyond the goalkeeper.
With Liverpool’s options so few and far between this season at No9 we can expect Wright, Keyrol Figueroa and Jayden Danns to bulk out the first-team squad on occasion.
Read the full article here
