How likely Liverpool really are to try and sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting

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Arne Slot has had to contend with a number of injury problems in the Liverpool forward line so far this season.

The Reds have six brilliant attacking options in their squad, but lengthy fitness issues for Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota have reduced that to four recently.

For Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, this has invariably led to more chances in the Liverpool starting XI.

And to be fair to that quartet, they have largely been taking their opportunities.

Nevertheless, between Jota’s injury record and Nunez’s haul of just two goals this season, it seems possible that Liverpool will be looking for a new centre-forward in the summer.

In that respect, there are few better options in Europe right now than Sporting hitman Viktor Gyokeres. After Gyokeres notched a Champions League hat-trick on Tuesday against Man City, journalist Graeme Bailey has weighed in on the chances of the Swede joining Liverpool.

Liverpool not out of Viktor Gyokeres conversation

Gyokeres has been relentless this season. After his three goals on Tuesday the 26-year-old has fired 23 times in just 17 matches for Sporting. Remarkable numbers.

His sensational form has led to suggestions that Gyokeres will be allowed to leave Sporting for around £58m next summer.

Given how good he has been since joining from Coventry in 2022, you can imagine just about all of Europe’s biggest sides have at least one eye on Gyokeres.

And speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, Bailey says that this does include Liverpool. However, the transfer expert claims that any concrete interest in Gyokeres is likely to depend on what ultimately happens with Mohamed Salah.

READ MORE: Sporting’s demolition of Man City shows why Liverpool are pushing to sign attacking duo

“We know Liverpool are aware of Gyokeres and they have been for a long time as Sporting are a team they watch regularly, as most of the big clubs in Europe do,” says Bailey.

“But do Liverpool really need another player who can only play centrally and from the left? I think that counts against him, being honest.

“I wouldn’t discount them from the conversation just yet, I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of fantasy, but Salah’s situation is going to play into it,” adds the reporter. “If Salah does leave they’re going to need someone who can play off the right as well.”

Viktor Gyokeres vs Darwin Nunez

The developing situation of Gyokeres has certain echoes to what happened with Nunez back in 2021/22.

The Uruguayan plundered 36 goals for Sporting’s eternal rivals Benfica in Portugal, earning him a huge money move to Liverpool.

The two strikers have relatively similar profiles, too. Tall, quick and at home through the middle or on the left, there are real comparisons to be made between Gyokeres and Nunez.

As a result of Nunez’s lack of goals this season, it does feel possible that Liverpool will look to move on from the 25-year-old next year.

If they choose to do that – and maybe more importantly if Salah does stay – Gyokeres should certainly become an option.

For now, it sounds as though there are other teams moving more decisively, but don’t count Liverpool out of this one just yet.