Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Andoni Iraola, the whisperer of forwards, will be seeking to work his magic again at Liverpool this season, having overseen the rise of so many back at Bournemouth.
The star name of last term was undoubtedly Eli Junior Kroupi for the Cherries, the Frenchman enjoying a record-breaking debut Premier League campaign for a teenager, after scoring 13 times following his arrival from Lorient.
A cruel injury blow has dented the 20-year-old's hopes of sealing a marquee move away from the Vitality Stadium, although there has been talk that the Premier League's elite are paying close attention, with Liverpool among them.
Junior-Kroupi-Cherries
Whether the Reds actually need to pursue the youngster heading into 2027 remains to be seen, however, with the Merseyside outfit already well-stocked in the centre-forward department.
Why the future of Liverpool's centre-forward berth is in safe hands
The accusation was that Alexander Isak had 'bottled it' after not taking the last-gasp spot-kick away at former club Newcastle United, with the Swede having picked up where he left off last season following another frustrating showing on the opening weekend.
Alexander Isak stats vs Newcastle
To his credit, however, the 25-year-old recovered to notch his first goal of the season at home to Nottingham Forest last time out, tapping home following an exquisite cross from Cody Gakpo on the right flank.
It's almost been forgotten that Isak was arguably the "best striker in the league" just over a year ago, in the view of Jamie Carragher, having hit 44 league goals in his final two campaigns with the Magpies.
He will have a free shot at that centre-forward role until the impressive Hugo Ekitike returns from injury, the Frenchman having been a bright spark in a difficult 2025/26 campaign, scoring 11 league goals after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Quite whether Liverpool needed both men to arrive in the same summer is an ongoing debate, although should Isak fail to kick on over the coming weeks and months, it won't be long until Ekitike is knocking down the door again.
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Ekitike vs Kroupi - 25/26 Premier League
Ekitike
28
21
11
165
17%
11
4
3
0.8
77%
1.4
Equally too, Jayden Danns is set to stay put, young Lewis Koumas will be seeking to stake a claim of his own, following his return to the first-team fold, while there's also still excitement surrounding ex-Salford City goal machine, Will Wright, in the academy ranks.
For all the concern over Liverpool's squad depth, centre-forward does appear to be one area that Iraola is well-stocked in for the long-term, with further, late-window activity making sure of that.
Why Liverpool might have just signed Iraola's new Kroupi
In a summer of centre-forward signings across the Premier League, the addition of Kroupi on a £13m deal from France barely registered for many, with Bournemouth plucking the free-scoring starlet from Ligue 2.
Eli-Junior-Kroupi-Bournemouth
Come May, he'd made sure he was a household name in top-flight terms, memorably scoring the goal that effectively swung the title in Arsenal's favour up against Manchester City.
Iraola, while not solely responsible for that signing nor the player's rise, was at least the man who put faith in a teenage French striker who'd never played in the Premier League before. His gamble well and truly paid off.
Hopefully, looking ahead to 2027, it could well prove a similar story for Djylian N'Guessan, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign the 18-year-old from Saint-Étienne.
Kroupi's compatriot is set to join the club officially next summer, ensuring those at Anfield will have to wait to see their new man in action in a Liverpool shirt.
By all accounts, the teenager will be worth the wait, however, potentially set to follow in Kroupi's footsteps by tearing it up as a mere youngster in the Premier League.
Kroupi-Bournemouth
In the view of journalist Bence Bocsak, he is a "similar profile" to the Cherries star, so adept on either foot and, most importantly, lauded as an "excellent finisher".
That was certainly true of Kroupi last term, as he missed only three 'big chances' all season, while boasting a 25% goal conversion rate.
In N'Guessan's case, his senior involvement has been minimal to date, making only 11 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 appearances in total across the last two seasons, although he has flourished at youth level.
In the 2025 U17 European Championship, for example, he scored four goals in only five appearances, with his own goal conversion rate having also been at 25%.
REUTERS/Craig Brough
It's a small sample size, but that speaks to the type of talent that Liverpool have snapped up, with the tale of Kroupi showcasing that there is no better manager to guide the youngster than Iraola.
Of course, Bradley Barcola and Ekitike are more ready-made French superstars, but don't discount N'Guessan from making a splash in 2027/28.