Hugo Ekitike's colossal injury blow just about sums up the season for Liverpool and Arne Slot.
The Frenchman is the club's top scorer and if there had been one successful signing from last summer's mass spending spree, it was the Frenchman.
Hugo-Ekitike-Liverpool-PSG
Yet, they now won't see him again until 2027. Suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon, he will now miss at least the next nine months of action.
Liverpool do, at least, have Alexander Isak back from his own lengthy injury lay-off but with Mohamed Salah set to depart Anfield over the summer, an overhaul of the attack is required.
Liverpool could sign £80m winger this summer
24 hours after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG, they ironically saw Luis Diaz fire Bayern Munich into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
His departure last summer was not felt too hard at the time, particularly when Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz all arrived.
Luis Diaz scores for Bayern Munich
Yet, with the Colombian winger contributing to 42 goals this season, it's safe to say they have missed him.
As a result, finding a replacement for Salah is not the only priority for the summer. They must also look at how they can finally replace Diaz.
Well, in Anthony Gordon, they could do just that. A report from The Telegraph on Thursday morning claims that Gordon is open to leaving Newcastle United in the forthcoming months.
The England international has attracted the interest of both Bayern Munich and Arsenal, with the German side reportedly making him one of their priority targets.
anthony-gordon-newcastle (2)
Yet, the Reds could also be at the table. They note that amid interest from Liverpool last summer, Gordon is a boyhood Reds supporter and 'would jump at the chance' to move to Anfield if the opportunity arose. That surely puts Slot's side in pole position to secure his services.
If Liverpool do move, then it would likely take them a bid of £80m to prise him away from St James' Park. Newcastle are valuing him highly but how negotiations could be tricky given how the Isak saga played out in 2025.
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How Gordon compares to Gakpo
Ten years ago, Liverpool signed Sadio Mane from Southampton in a £34m fee. A Premier League-proven left winger, the Senegalese is a modern-day icon at Anfield, firing home 120 goals in 269 games.
Well, ten years later, FSG could repeat that trick by raiding the Premier League again for one of the best wingers outside of the division's traditional big six clubs.
Like Mane, Gordon is a bundle of energy, a player who is incredibly direct and he could well offer a different dimension to the Liverpool attack, not to mention that he could re-establish a fine partnership with Isak.
Isak and Gordon as teammates - Newcastle
Salah and Ekitike may well need replacing but it is Cody Gakpo who could be upgraded upon here. The Dutchman has endured a sticky season of it, failing to score across his last ten outings at club level.
In fact, Gakpo's recent run of form has been so poor that he only has one goal across his last 18 matches in all competitions. Things could not be more different as far as Gordon is concerned. In contrast, he's enjoying a fine run.
The Toon star has netted 11 times in his last 23 appearances, famously scoring four goals in one game against Qarabag. In total this term, he has 17 goals, nine more than Gakpo.
On the goal front, an immediate upgrade would be found, but how about elsewhere?
Gordon vs Gakpo: 2025/26 League stats
Stats (per 90 mins)
Goals
Shots
Shot accuracy
Conversion rate
Assists
Chances created
Crossing accuracy
Take-ons completed
Duels won
Well, it would appear that Gordon is a better carrier of the ball, completing more dribbles per 90 minutes. He's far better in front of goal, with that shot accuracy and conversion rate more impressive.
Interestingly, despite boasting fewer chances created than Gakpo this term, the former Everton star has a much better crossing accuracy.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo
The fact of the matter is that for too long, Liverpool's Dutch winger has been way off it. His inconsistencies are becoming a big problem for Slot and Co.
While Gordon is not the most consistent winger in the world either, they would be signing a forward here who is far more efficient with his actions.
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