Liverpool needs a new striker in the summer. That verdict now feels unavoidable, and Lionel Messi’s assessment of Julian Alvarez might just point the Reds in the right direction.
It is a shame that things have come to this at Anfield. It’s only during the course of this season that the tide has decisively turned against Darwin Nunez, who continues to show infuriating glimpses of his potential.
But with Arne Slot having no more luck than Jurgen Klopp in getting a consistent tune-out of the record signing, a point of no return has been reached. There’s every possibility that Nunez just needs a change of scene, with his confidence absolutely on the floor, but the prospect of truly making it at Liverpool now looks remote at best.
Then there’s Diogo Jota. He was already something of a conundrum before this season, with his clinical eye for goal competing against his patchy availability — but with his form dropping off under Slot, his future looks far from safe, either.
Of course, this gloomy assessment comes with Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League title, so it’s not all bad news. However, the thought of what Slot could achieve with a proper number nine — especially one that arrives in support of Mohamed Salah, not in his place — is a tantalizing one.
Alvarez is the latest transfer link to emerge. And it must be said that is an exciting rumor.
Sometimes, a player emerges at a rival club that you cannot help but admire. Alvarez fell into that category for me while he was at Manchester City.
Officials at Liverpool seemingly felt the same way and tried to extract Alvarez from the Etihad last summer. A swap involving Luis Diaz was even mooted.
But Alvarez ended up going to Atletico Madrid instead and has done predictably well out of the shadow of Erling Haaland. The biggest question is whether he would even be open to a move after settling in so seamlessly.
(Image: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
But if he is, then Liverpool should certainly try again. If it needs further encouragement, it should listen to what Messi has to say about the striker.
“Nobody imagined Julian would have the participation and importance he has shown,” Messi said of a 22-year-old Alvarez ahead of the 2022 World Cup final. “The help he has given us has been absolutely spectacular.
“During the whole World Cup, but also on Tuesday [a 3-0 win over Croatia where Alvarez scored a brace and won a penalty that Messi converted], he was extraordinary. He ran everything.
“He fought for everything — creating chances, fighting. For us, he was the surprising discovery, and he deserves everything that has happened to him because he is a lovely guy.”
Alvarez has only grown even more well-rounded since then. But the fundamental attributes picked out by Messi tick all of Liverpool’s usual boxes.
Under Slot, just like Klopp, Liverpool needs a striker who is prepared to fight. Alvarez puts in the hard yards.
The ability to score and create in equal measure will also appeal to the Liverpool decision-makers. The data bears out Messi’s assessment in this regard — not that anyone should have doubted the verdict of one of the best scorers and creators the sport has ever seen.
And then there is Messi’s verdict on Alvarez’s personality. While that can be overlooked, it is important at Liverpool, where it has long been standard practice to do due diligence on the attitudes of prospective signings.
All in all, it is a glowing recommendation from the greatest player of all time. Liverpool will base its decision over whether to pursue Alvarez on more than that — but as references go, it cannot hurt.
