Arne Slot already knows who will be his new No.9 at Liverpool after Darwin Nunez message sent

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Liverpool’s forward line has been in red-hot form heading into 2025.

The Reds are the Premier League’s top goal-scorers having found the net 45 times across 18 matches.

That should hardly be a surprise given the players Arne Slot has at his disposal within the Liverpool squad.

Last season the quintet of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez hit 87 goals between them for Liverpool. This time around they already have 53.

Nevertheless, despite the superb numbers, there has been a feeling that Slot is looking for a new, permanent central striker.

Nunez has been a disappointment under the Dutch coach this season and Jota simply can’t stay fit. But as Liverpool search around for their perfect No.9, Slot looks like he already knows who the answer could be.

Luis Diaz should make permanent No.9 move

Jota sent a little reminder of what he can do on Sunday evening, coming off the bench against West Ham to round off the Liverpool scoring.

While the Reds hit the Hammers for five, though, it was notable that Nunez stayed rooted to the substitutes bench.

Slot clearly does not fancy Darwin and it feels more than likely that the Uruguayan is entering the final few months of his Liverpool career.

But although Jota is surely set to play a further role under Slot, the Liverpool head coach would be wise to stop his search in the transfer market and install Diaz as the Reds new No.9 moving forward.

READ MORE: Liverpool keen on £20m former Man City striker who is the ‘long-term successor to Harry Kane’

Diaz scored again on Sunday when starting as Liverpool’s most central attacker.

The Colombian has adapted brilliantly to playing in a different role for the Reds and with Gakpo in sparkling form on the left, there’s no reason Slot can’t keep this framework moving forward.

Liverpool find their new front three

Some Liverpool supporters will no doubt be keen to see Jota reinstalled as the starting central striker once he fully regains match fitness.

But the truth of the matter is that Liverpool simply cannot rely on the Portuguese for a full season.

As a result, Jota should not be part of Slot’s strongest XI on paper. He has to cede his place to someone who has more availability.

Diaz can certainly be that man. And with the 27-year-old now coming into his peak years, he looks to be striking up an excellent understanding with Gakpo and Salah.

Liverpool have found it terribly hard to replace the iconic triumvirate of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. But with Gakpo on the left and Diaz through the middle, we think Slot has stumbled upon a title-winning answer. As for Nunez, Sunday’s game was the latest message that the writing is now on the wall.