Revealed: The GLARING striker problem that Liverpool can't afford to ignore any longer

Arne Slot has already started implementing his system - a big change to what Liverpool were used to - and it may provide the new head coach with a first issue in charge.

There is always a constant clamour for transfers on social media from fans and so far Liverpool haven’t made any moves as Slot is determined to analyse every player at his disposal.

He will have done plenty of that already in training but the real opinions start to take shape in games and Liverpool have three in the USA.

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Diogo Jota is on his way to meet his teammates while Darwin Nunez will join up at a later date but even with those two involved Liverpool could have a striker issue which seems to have passed everyone by.

Darwin Nunez will need time to adapt

Every single player will need some adjustment period after one of the biggest changes in Liverpool’s history - going from Jurgen Klopp to Slot.

Everyone has seen over the last two seasons that there is talent within Nunez, as well as an overwhelming erratic nature in the penalty area.

The hope is that Slot can get the best out of him in his system but that won’t happen overnight, especially with Nunez’s willingness to shoot so often.

Even in the Copa America when he was showing some of his top form under Marcelo Bielsa the unpredictability was there as he had 21 shots in six games missing six big chances overall.

Darwin Nunez

This season that simply has to improve but there is always the chance that it doesn’t which leaves Liverpool in a tricky situation.

They could leave all their eggs in one basket for it to not pay off, and that the hope about Slot working some magic on him turns out to be blind faith all along.

That should be where Diogo Jota comes in but there is an issue of a totally different nature surrounding the Portuguese international.

Jota is at risk 

When Jota joined Liverpool in 2021 it was a deal which caught everyone by surprise and it is fair to say not many expected him to turn into such an incredible poacher at Anfield.

In 145 games for Liverpool, he has scored 56 goals and he has a nous for popping up when the Reds need him most.

However, the feeling is anytime he threatens to have a really productive run in the team he gets a long injury which really ruined his groove last season more than most.

He only managed 21 Premier League outings last season and scored 10 goals, so over the course of 38 games there isn’t much doubt that Jota would be one of the most prolific in the division.

Diogo Jota

That then of course didn’t help Nunez as he had more pressure on his shoulders to perform, and in the run-in he simply didn’t.

In the previous season, Jota only played 22 league games so there is some cause for concern that this is turning into a regular theme.

If Jota is out injured and Nunez is underperforming who does Slot have to turn to?

Do Liverpool need to sign a striker?

The call for signings from fans seems to be overlooking the potential need for a striker with more focus around the midfield and defence.

There is the sense that Cody Gakpo can play centrally but that should really be put to bed after his fantastic performances from the left in the European Championship.

Luis Diaz has always been more of an out-and-out winger whilst Mohamed Salah has never had a run of games through the middle.

Coming through the ranks there is hope from within the club and from fans that Jayden Danns can be something special.

However, the club have seemingly made the decision to loan him out instead of letting Slot assess him in pre-season which could be a bizarre choice if Plymouth Argyle are fighting for their lives in the Championship.

With two players of the calibre of Nunez and Jota it would be bold to assume that Liverpool would make signing a new shiny centre forward a priority.

The problem is though if the same issues arise surrounding the pair then it could have been avoided.

Is Salah the solution?

Few strikers have been linked and there is also just a general lack of world-class forwards coming through so the solution may have to be internal.

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Salah is a guarantee of goals off the right but with age and more wisdom, a role through the middle may turn into a more permanent one.

In the only pre-season game so far he started centrally and it looks like it will be his role at least in the USA tour simply due to the lack of options.

Should he impress, which you would expect him to do, Slot may be banking on him to be a strong option through the middle before he at least figures out whether Nunez and Jota can carry the burden of being the number one source of goals, especially with more impetus on creativity from the wide players.

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