With Mohamed Salah no longer leading the attack, Liverpool’s forward line is still undergoing tactical surgery, but how efficient are Andoni Iraola‘s current options?
Salah had shouldered the primary responsibility of scoring Liverpool’s goals for much of his Anfield career, accounting for 23.8 percent of Liverpool’s total from 2017/18 to 2025/26.
But his exit means the goalscoring responsibility has to be shared across the forward line, one currently hindered by Hugo Ekitike‘s long-term Achilles injury.
Richard Hughes is still in pursuit of reinforcements, but a look at Andoni Iraola‘s options shines a light on the profile Liverpool need to sign in the transfer window.
With the help of FotMob, we take a look at the current contingent’s efficiency in front of goal and how frequently they take shots from inside the penalty box.
How Liverpool’s forward options compare
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Sunday, August 2, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s current attacking options include Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, Victor Munoz, Federico Chiesa and the injured Ekitike.
Except for Isak, who had his debut season disrupted by injury, we take a look at the respective stats across last season’s league appearances.
By using Isak’s 2024/25 statistics that earned him his record-breaking move to Liverpool, it is clear to see the Swede thrives in the box and can achieve an elite shot conversion rate.
Ekitike, meanwhile, is the current squad’s most lethal finisher, outperforming his xG (expected goals) and turning low-probability chances into goals.
Cody Gakpo, meanwhile, sits at the bottom for overall efficiency, having taken nearly a third (32.2%) of his total shots from outside the box, with a proclivity to cut inside from the left flank.
New arrival Victor Munoz, on the other hand, is clearly a winger who likes to play direct.
Close to a third of his shots come from long distance or wide angles, resulting in a single-digit conversion rate (7.4%), despite mustering 81 shots last season.
The numbers ultimately highlight Iraola’s need to ensure his wingers are encouraged to occupy spaces closer to goal rather than settling for low-probability long-range attempts.
How does Bradley Barcola compare?
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Bradley Barcola, PSG (Image: UEFA)
Unlike Gakpo and Munoz, who registered single-digit conversion rates last season, Bradley Barcola had a 16.4% conversion rate for PSG in 2025/26, and 18.9% in 2024/25.
His finishing numbers put him on par with Ekitike, which underlines Liverpool’s pursuit of the Frenchman as they seek to sign a genuine goalscoring threat.
Barcola also prioritises shots from inside the box (73.1%), displaying a natural desire to put himself in danger areas rather than settling for long-range efforts.
Barcola is one of the best fits available this summer to generate shots from inside the box, but Liverpool could still do with a central striker to offer another focal point in Ekitike’s absence.
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ROUNDUP COLLAGE(43)
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Football – FA Cup 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Plymouth Argyle FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 7, 2017: Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo in action against Plymouth Argyle during the FA Cup 3rd Round match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)