With the prospect of losing two attackers becoming more real in the coming days, Liverpool might be planning to replace both as soon as possible.

The Reds are recruiting from a position of strength having secured the Premier League title last season but know they must spend big to acquire their long-term No.9. They have whittled their search down to two players: Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Firstly, only three players aged 23 or under were directly involved in more goals than Ekitike in Europe's big five leagues last season. The striker scored 15 top-flight goals and assisted eight, with his combined tally emulating Cole Palmer and one more than Florian Wirtz and Lamine Yamal mustered – not bad company to keep.