As Darwin Nunez prepares to finally make his exit from Liverpool this summer, the Reds are beginning to look a little light in attack.
Nunez’s departure may have been on the cards for a long while, but Arne Slot has not yet made a decisive move to replace him.
Hugo Ekitike has arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt, but the unimaginable loss of Diogo Jota means Liverpool currently have only one recognised centre-forward.
That looks set to change in the coming weeks, with Alexander Isak and his potentially record-breaking arrival from Newcastle still seen as a priority for the Reds.
If Isak is ungettable, then Liverpool have shown interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola. It has been claimed that Liverpool will not sign both Isak and Barcola, with the Frenchman very much a back-up option for now.
But further reports have suggested that PSG will not sell Barcola to the Reds or anyone else, meaning a third target may now need to be pencilled in.
Bradley Barcola pictured during PSG training for the FIFA Club World Cup
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Rodrygo Goes still a back-up option for Liverpool
Liverpool supporters would be delighted if their club signed either Isak or Barcola this summer. Both have shown how they could improve the Liverpool squad.
If neither can be signed, it becomes more difficult to find a player who can go straight into Slot’s team.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
One who potentially could is Real Madrid forward Rodrygo Goes. Rodrygo could seemingly be available this summer after falling out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu and Liverpool have been linked.
Although those rumours have died down in recent weeks, French journalist Santi Aouna claims that Rodrygo is still a possibility for the Reds, and is ‘third on the list’ behind Isak and Barcola.
READ MORE: ‘No surprise’ if Liverpool are interested in Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke – Exclusive
🚨🔴🇸🇪🇫🇷 #PL |
❗️À ce jour, Alexander Isak demeure la priorité de Liverpool. L'attaquant suédois espère qu'un accord sera trouvé entre les Reds et Newcastle.
➡️ En cas d'échec, Liverpool se mettra à fond dans le Bradley Barcola? que le PSG tente de prolonger.
✅️ Rodrygo est… pic.twitter.com/RGzFGU13qP
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) August 7, 2025
View Tweet
“To date, Alexander Isak remains Liverpool’s priority,” Aouna reports. “The Swedish striker hopes an agreement will be reached between the Reds and Newcastle.
“In case of failure, Liverpool will fully focus on Bradley Barcola, whom PSG are trying to extend. Rodrygo is the third on the list.”
Are there any other alternatives?
Earlier in the window, Rodrygo’s potential move to Liverpool was garnering plenty of attention. However, something switched somewhere along the way.
Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
Alexander Isak 42 27 6 Carabao Cup
Bradley Barcola 64 21 20 Ligue 1, Champions League, French Cup
Rodrygo Goes 54 14 10 UEFA Super Cup
Isak vs Barcola vs Rodrygo 2024/25
From here, it would feel like quite a large turnaround for the Reds to come cap in hand to the Brazilian after failing to sign both Isak and Barcola.
Instead, it feels more likely that Liverpool could pivot towards a player like Anthony Gordon.
Clearly, Newcastle may be unwilling to do further business with the Reds after the Isak debacle, but if they are keeping the big Swede at St James’ Park then maybe the door would be slightly ajar for the Scouser to leave.
Gordon has confirmed he almost joined Liverpool last summer and should a move be resurrected, the framework has already been put in place. Plenty of twists still to come in this one.