Liverpool’s plans for the summer of 2025 are already taking shape, Arne Slot has even admitted that. A new center-back, an upgrade at left-back, reinforcements in midfield and a more reliable striker are among the recurring themes in recent transfer rumours.
It’s the latter that has piqued the interest of fans in recent days, with reports that Julian Alvarez could be an option this summer in a transfer that would see Darwin Nunez head in the opposite direction to Atletico Madrid as part of the deal.
That may feel unlikely given how difficult swap moves are to arrange, but the recent comments from Alvarez’s agent hint there could be some merit to the reports. “I confirm that Liverpool were interested in Julian last season,” said Fernando Hidalgo in a recent interview, before discussing the player’s future plans.
There is an abundance of players who could join this Liverpool team and immediately enhance it, but Alavrez is among the few in that criteria. I should know; I covered Manchester City during the entirety of Alvarez’s stint at the Etihad. Having watched him on a weekly basis, there’s no doubting the quality he possesses.
The 25-year-old would tick all the boxes for Liverpool. He’s a clinical finisher, slick on the counter, physically robust, excellent out of possession and still has years ahead of him to continue developing. That he played a pivotal role for Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side and for Argentina’s World Cup-winning team says it all really.
But perhaps the most intriguing and unique characteristic that Alvarez possesses - and would suit Liverpool perfectly - is his ability to play as both a striker and no.10. Slot’s preference this season has been to utilize Diogo Jota in the advanced position, playing him as a ‘nine and half’, who occupies center-backs but can drop deep and help with link-up play.
Again, those skillsets are embodied by Alvarez, a player who Guardiola used as a replacement for both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne. That versatility endeared him to the City manager, who was disappointed when the Argentinian moved on last summer. But there was a sense that the club couldn’t turn down a record-breaking fee for a player who arguably didn’t feature in the first-choice line-up and wanted to move on.
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
That has led to an unfair and inaccurate myth that Alvarez failed at City. His winners’ medals, 103 appearances in two years and 51 goal involvements would suggest otherwise. He was unfortunate to find himself behind arguably the world’s best striker and attacking midfielder, that’s before factoring in Phil Foden and his form last season.
When Haaland and De Bruyne returned from injury in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, finding a spot for Alvarez - particularly in the biggest games - proved tricky, but that’s not to understate his quality. It’s also a problem that the former River Plate man wouldn’t encounter at Liverpool given Slot is in need of an upgrade up front.
In a year away from England, Alvarez’s form has continued to impress. His goalscoring ratio is better than one every other game and the forward has played in every single Atletico match this season.
That throws up the major complication for this particular transfer saga: the cost. With Alvarez’s career on an upward trajectory since the £82m (£106m) move last summer, and five years left on this contract at Atletico, it would undoubtedly be an expensive deal to arrange, even if Nunez’s exit could help ease that process.
But, if Alvarez is seen as the star striker to spearhead the post-Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, he could be worth the expensive outlay for FSG. There aren’t many deserving of such plaudits.