Liverpool’s Striker Conundrum: A Data Analyst’s Perspective

The Isak Impasse

As someone who’s spent a decade analyzing South American and European forwards, the Alexander Isak situation fascinates me. Newcastle’s reluctance to sell their Swedish star has forced Liverpool to consider alternatives - and as any good INTJ analyst would do, I’ve crunched the numbers on each option.

The Contenders Breakdown

1. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

• Pros: Premier League proven, excellent pressing stats (85th percentile for pressures)
• Cons: Would command similar fee to Isak at £60m+

2. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)

• Surprise Pick: My Python models show his xG outperformance is remarkable
• Fit: Could thrive in Liverpool’s counter-pressing system

3. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

• The Dream Scenario: But financials are complicated with potential Nunez swap
• Data Point: 0.72 non-penalty goals per 90 in Serie A last season

The Wild Card: Rodrygo Goes

While not a traditional #9, my tactical visualization shows his versatility could offer Klopp interesting options in fluid front-three systems.

Conclusion

The numbers suggest Watkin’s Premier League experience makes him the safest bet, but Mbeumo’s value proposition is intriguing. As always in football analytics - there’s no perfect solution, just calculated gambles.