Liverpool need to be on it in the final third against PSG, and Arne Slot could deploy a new front three that’s sure to hit all the right nostalgia notes.
Despite trailing in this Champions League tie by two goals, Slot believes a Liverpool comeback is possible. It would require the performance of the season from his side, and clinical play up front.
Before Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, there was a front three of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling that was an absolute joy to watch. And Slot has the perfect profiles to create his own iteration against the European champions on Tuesday.
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Arne Slot can play a new Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling vs PSG
They never got over the line to win a Premier League title, but that ‘Triple-S’ front three was as good as it gets.
Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling terrorised the division in the 2013/14 season, but finished an agonising two points behind Man City. They might not have won the silverware, but they were the undisputed best attacking force in the league at that time.
Suarez scored 31 goals in 33 league appearances, with 12 assists. Sturridge was the perfect strike partner, managing 21 goals and seven assists, while 18-year-old Sterling finished the campaign with nine goals and five assists.
The aesthetics of their play was something to witness, and they remain one of the most eye-catching attacking lines we have seen at Anfield.
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Slot can replicate it quite easily with his current options. The Rio Ngumoha/Sterling comparison is obvious. Exciting wide-playing youngsters with pace to burn and the ability to beat anyone 1v1.
Hugo Ekitike has that same elegance and polish Sturridge showed at his best, and would fill a similar supporting role for the bonafide goal-getter beside him.
That was Suarez at the time, and can be Alexander Isak now. Sure, they don’t have the numbers nor the accomplishments in a Liverpool shirt, but you can see how this modern iteration could be just as devastating.
Slot’s front-three dilemma against PSG is the hot topic of conversation, especially after Salah got back on the scoresheet at the weekend. He may well start on Tuesday night, but the trio of Ngumoha, Isak and Ekitike does sound pretty formidable.
Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak during Liverpool v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Even if it’s not the chosen approach for PSG, it’s a front three that should be used heavily next season and for the foreseeable future. Some of the best attacking performances in recent Liverpool memory were produced with that formula.
Florian Wirtz can be the Steven Gerrard
You can’t talk about that Brendan Rodgers front three without mentioning the captain who played behind them.
Steven Gerrard ended that season with 26 Premier League goal involvements — just as instrumental as the stars ahead of him. That’s the role Florian Wirtz can take.
Liverpool are hunting a Salah replacement, but depending on the development of Ngumoha, this could be the viable front-four to take the Reds into their next era.
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