Liverpool striker shortlist ranked using key stats and performance data

The striker conversation at Liverpool is finally front and centre. After a summer full of arrivals and reshuffles, the focus now has to be on who replaces Darwin Nunez, a player who just hasn’t delivered consistently. The names doing the rounds are Hugo Ekitike, Victor Osimhen and Alexander Isak. Each brings something unique to the table, and I’ve done the data work to try and separate them.

This isn’t about feelings or favourites. It’s about performance, availability, cost and fit. Each of these strikers has a red flag or two. No perfect option exists. What matters is understanding the total package and which direction the club wants to go.

Hugo Ekitike: Exciting Prospect, But Not Yet There

I’ve got Ekitike in third, but I’ll be clear, this isn’t about potential, it’s about readiness. He’s a young forward, and at 22, his numbers are promising. Defensively, he’s limited, but in terms of progressive carries at 96th percentile, touches in the penalty area at 94th, and progressive passes received, he stands out. He's heavily involved in attacking play, with shots in the 93rd percentile and solid assist numbers.

But there's a major issue. He’s finished eight goals under his xG over the season, scoring 15 when he should’ve had 23. That’s a clear red flag. Add to that a relatively low off-ball involvement, with next to no defensive shape in the off ball zone map shown below, and there’s work to be done. If you need someone to convert high-value chances created by the likes of Florian Wirtz or Mohamed Salah, that inefficiency is a problem.