Liverpool's show of ambition in the early stages of the transfer window has seen the club commit over £200m on new signings. The Reds smashed their transfer record - and potentially the British record - to the tune of £116m, with a blockbuster deal for Florian Wirtz.
And it's unlikely the Reds have finished there, either, with two months of the transfer window still to go and outgoings on the cards, there could be more for Arne Slot and Richard Hughes to spend in order to strengthen the squad further.
But having done a lot of their priority business early doors, the club are relaxed about the next eight weeks of the window and will monitor the market with interest as they [go about offloading some of their squad players.](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-could-raise-over-200m-31959840)
Darwin Nunez is one such player, with Napoli interested in signing the Uruguayan forward.
Indeed, it's entirely possible that, should the right targets fail to become available then [Liverpool](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc) will choose not to spend further. Would that be a mistake? And specifically do they need to sign a striker this summer?
Our writers have their say:
### **Theo Squires**
Liverpool's centre-forward woes last season were well-documented, yet they still ended up as the Premier League's leading goalscorers with 86 goals. Man City, with 72, were the only other side to break the 70-goal barrier.
This should suggest that Arne Slot's men have more than enough in front of goal heading into the new season, especially with Florian Wirtz now signed up to provide the ammunition.
But it would be a surprise if Liverpool's current attacking options remain intact come the start of the season on August 15.
Darwin Nunez will surely leave, while it would be no surprise to see Federico Chiesa or Harvey Elliott depart either. Speculation about Luis Diaz's future also continues, despite the Reds insistence they want the Colombian to stay put.
If any of the contingent depart, Liverpool will need to replace them. While losing Nunez's limited impact might not exactly sting Arne Slot's squad greatly, the strength in depth is still required.
Let's not forget Mohamed Salah will miss the festive period due to the Africa Cup of Nations, after all. And just because the Reds were relatively injury-free last year, that does not mean you can guarantee such luxuries again. Especially with the likes of Diogo Jota still part of your quota.
Liverpool have strong options in place already, but throw in a prolific number nine - especially if suited to Slot's preferred style - and they become even deadlier in front of goal.
The Reds need a new striker, but so do many of their rivals. And they are all fishing from the same shallow pool, which only makes such a pursuit more complicated.
Granted, they will not - and should not - sign for the sake of it. But if the right forward is available - which I hope will prove to be the case - bring them in.
If Newcastle United soften their stance regarding Alexander Isak's future, bite their hands off. The arrival of such a player would inevitably make Liverpool title favourites.
And you only need to look at how Arsenal keep falling short in title-races, having repeatedly opted against signing such a striker, to see how it can cost you come the end of the season.
### **Joe Rimmer**
Would it be a mistake for Liverpool not to sign a striker? Well it all entirely depends on who leaves Anfield this summer.
Sell Darwin Nunez and Liverpool might look lighter in that department, but then perhaps that isn't truly the case. Liverpool will still have Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Federico Chiesa and new signing Florian Wirtz as senior attacking options and when you consider that Jeremie Frimpong could be deployed further forward then the Reds clearly have strength in depth.
Take away Chiesa, though, and throw in Mohamed Salah's trip to the African Cup of Nations across the festive period and Diogo Jota's injury problems and then the pressure increases in that department.
It should also be a consideration what becomes of Harvey Elliott. The 22-year-old has the versatility to operate from the right and his availability could also allow Wirtz to move further forward.
Luis Diaz is another who, despite Liverpool remaining bullish about his future continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield.
It's a delicate balancing act and you can be certain that Richard Hughes and Arne Slot will consider every eventuality as they build the squad for next season.
But perhaps it's time to come off the fence. Do Liverpool need a striker? I'd say so, yes. But it has to be the very best, Liverpool shouldn't settle for less. The truth is, if somebody like Alexander Isak isn't available then perhaps the wait is worth it.
That, of course, makes things much more complicated and if Liverpool want to sit and wait for the best to become available then they have earned the trust to do so.