After Mohamed Salah's departure was confirmed a few weeks ago, Liverpool fans were left wondering how they would replace the Egyptian.
The 33-year-old has been a huge success for the Reds in the Premier League over the past eight years, even playing a major role in their title success during Arne Slot's first campaign.
However, their odds became even greater on Tuesday night, after summer addition Hugo Ekitiké was sent off in the Champions League defeat by PSG.
The Frenchman has been Slot's main threat during the current campaign, having tallied 17 goals in all competitions, the highest of any player in the club.
Medical tests have concluded that the 23-year-old has suffered a ruptured achilles, which will keep him out for nine months – and increase the need for more attacking reinforcements in this window.
Liverpool are making a move to sign a big-money Premier League star
After Ekitike's injury, Liverpool management wasted no time in identifying possible options to cover the injured striker.
Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Toure is just one player who has caught their eye as a result, with the Reds already approaching the Bundesliga side over a potential summer deal.
It has been reported that a fee of around £42m will be required to land the 20-year-old, who has registered a combined 11 goals and assists so far.
However, despite interest in securing a move for Toure, Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon is another player the club could not sign during the off-season.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have already made an approach to the Magpies over a potential deal for the 25-year-old who has scored 17 goals during the current campaign.
The report also says that Slot's men are not alone in their pursuit, as Arsenal and Bayern Munich have made checks on the availability of the England player.
Previous claims have suggested that Eddie Howe's side could let the attacker leave for around £75m this window – which would be a bargain for any interested party.
Why Gordon would be the perfect replacement for Ekitike
As mentioned earlier, it's very sad that Liverpool lost Ekitike, and the Frenchman was the best player to come out of the club's £450m spending spree last summer.
The 23-year-old now faces a long road to recovery in the coming months, with Slot desperately needing to find a solution quickly after his injury was confirmed.
Cody Gakpo might be the one top player to step up and provide cover, but it's safe to say the Dutchman has once again failed to perform well when given his first chance.
He has scored just eight points in 30 Premier League games this season, with fans frustrated by his struggles over the past few months.
As a result, Ekitike is often asked to work on the left side of the attack to try to produce goods and create a new trio in the final third.
However, a move to Gordon could give Slot the opportunity to play on the left that he wants, which will soften the blow felt by the Frenchman's long-term injury.
The England international has matched Ekitike's goals during the ongoing campaign, with his basic stats proving he can be the Reds' next talisman.
|
Anthony Gordon – PL Stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Mathematics (90 percentile) |
Mathematics |
|
Games played |
26 |
|
Terms & Conditions |
8 |
|
Pass accuracy |
82% |
|
Shots on target |
1.1 |
|
Target accuracy |
42% |
|
Opportunities are created |
1.3 |
|
Great opportunities have been created |
0.3 |
|
Successful dribbles |
1.6 |
Gordon, called “spectacular” by analyst Tom Williams, has registered 1.1 shots on every 90 targets, making that an accuracy rate of 42%.
The two figures mentioned above put him in the top 5% of strikers in the Premier League this season – which shows that he has the clinical ability to fill in for the injured Frenchman.
He has also created 1.3 chances in 90 this campaign, 0.3 of which are defined as big chances – figures that would allow him to help team-mate Alexander Isak finally succeed at Anfield.
Gordon's passing ability is also similar to Ekitike's, as evidenced by his 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 this season, and a 47% success rate in that department.
This English coach has always been a call for many teams running in the top division in England, which has led to this striker being fouled 2.1 times out of 90 times this season.
A £60m signing for the Newcastle star would be a fantastic piece of business for Liverpool, with the 25-year-old having the chance to take his career to the next level on Merseyside.
Ekitike's injury will open up an opportunity for Gordon to become a regular and eventually lead the Reds back to the Premier League table in 2026/27.
However, given interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich, the manager will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on yet another transfer target.
Dream Ekitike replacement: £80m England star Liverpool's first target
Hugo Ekitike's long-term injury could prompt action in Liverpool's transfer market.
