Arne Slot is reportedly set to put his trust in a Liverpool player next season rather than moving for a rumoured target who last year was one of the best in Europe.
From the outside looking in, the Reds have a number of problems that need addressing in the squad that can be solved via the transfer market, with replacements needed for Thiago Alcantara and Joel Matip after their departure at the end of last season.
Whilst there have been some links to the likes of Lutsharel Geertruida and Johan Bakayoko, Liverpool fans will have to wait sometime before their first official signing is made, with a departure more likely at this stage.
Yet Slot has seemingly ruled out one signing the Reds will be making this summer.
Darwin Nunez to lead the line for Liverpool despite Viktor Gyokeres interest
According to TeamTalk, Slot is expected to throw his trust behind Darwin Nunez leading the line for Liverpool next season over moving for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is believed to be appreciated by the Reds.
With a release clause worth £85m, Gyokeres was the most productive player in Europe last season across the top-five leagues plus the Portuguese top-flight with an astonishing 43 goals and 15 assists in all competitions.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez from his wife to net worth
Yet despite strong rumours that Gyokeres will leave Sporting this summer, it appears that Liverpool have ruled themselves out of the race for the Swedish international, with Slot set to rely on Nunez for next season as the Reds’ leading striker.
Indeed, the Uruguay international was described as ‘ineffective’ this summer at the Copa America, and after the criticisms Nunez faced last season, the decision to stick with the former Benfica man could be a risky one for Slot.
Slot is taking a big risk in sticking with Nunez for next season
Nunez showed last season that he still needs some work if he’s to become that truly world-class striker that some Liverpool fans and pundits think the 25-year-old can become at Anfield.
And for Slot, sticking with Nunez when there is a potential dream striker out there in the market in Gyokeres is a big risk for the Dutch coach to take given what’s at stake in the new season.
For many Liverpool fans, the new campaign will feel like Nunez’s last chance to really show that he has what it takes to become the right man for the Merseyside giants, and the pressure is on for the Uruguayan to perfom.
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