Liverpool are looking to upstage Newcastle United once again, having joined the race to sign a striker who is enjoying a fantastic season.
Reds eyeing new striker despite signing Ekitike and Isak
Following Darwin Nunez's departure in the summer, it was important to bring in at least one new striker, and off the back of winning the Premier League title, the Reds had no trouble attracting two highly sought-after players.
Arne Slot's side were able to lure Isak away from Newcastle, but the Sweden international's debut season at Anfield hasn't gone as planned, fracturing his leg in a 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur back in December.
The Magpies were linked with a move for Ekitike as a potential replacement for Isak, but the Merseysiders were able to get one over on their Premier League rivals, with the centre-forward arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m fee near the end of July.
The 23-year-old has made an encouraging start, picking up 11 goals and four assists in his opening 25 Premier League outings, but Slot has set out to sign another striker, who has also been linked with a move to St. James' Park.
According to a report from A Bola (via Sport Witness), Liverpool are looking to upstage Newcastle once again by signing Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez, given his impressive form in both the Liga Portugal and Europe this season.
Suarez arrived in Portugal during the summer, being brought in as a replacement for Viktor Gyokeres, but interest is already building from the Premier League, with the Reds closely monitoring his situation, alongside Eddie Howe's side.
Sporting CP's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring their second goal
However, the Colombian is under contract with Sporting until 2030, and recently played down speculation, saying: "I have a five-year contract here in Portugal. I am focused on Sporting, on what is coming, an important game in the league and in the cup and, obviously, when the next stage of the Champions League arrives. Then, when it finishes, we will see what happens."
Suarez could be ready for big move
The Colombian earned a move to Sporting courtesy of a fantastic La Liga 2 campaign last season, picking up 27 goals and eight assists in 41 matches, and he has since gone on to excel in both Portugal and the Champions League.
Luis Suarez's goal record Appearances Number of goals
Liga Portugal 23 22
Taca de Portugal 4 2
Champions League 8 4
Allianz Cup 1 1
Indeed, the 28-year-old is showing signs he could now be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, having netted a whopping 29 goals in all competitions, but he may not be a necessary signing for Liverpool.
Ekitike has made a flying start to life on Merseyside, and there is no reason why Isak shouldn't reach similar heights when he returns from injury, having scored 62 goals in 109 games for Newcastle.
Consequently, Slot should probably focus on strengthening different areas of the squad, and bringing in a new centre-back is on the agenda...
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