Rumours continue to persist linking exciting RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku with a move to Anfield.
Many are expecting Liverpool to sign at least one new attacker in the summer, with each of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all out of contract next year as things stand.
Of those three, it’s inevitably Salah who has dominated discussions with Liverpool fans desperate to see the scintillating Egyptian put pen to paper on a new deal.
Although the 29-year-old is heading towards the twilight of his prime years, he has been in blistering form this season, netting 16 Premier League goals whilst registering a further nine assists.
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Salah has stated on more than one occasion that he wants to stay at the club, and Liverpool are keen not to lose him.
Yet the sticking point between the two seemingly centres around the financials, with the player’s representatives pushing for a substantial salary increase, something Liverpool officials may not be able to green light.
And if both parties were to remain rigid in their stance, then there’s a chance Salah could reluctantly be allowed to leave.
Although Liverpool will be keen to avoid this fate, a contingency plan will need to be in place for if the same does happen.
And many see Nkunku as just that given that he tends to most often play on the right of his side’s attack, just like Salah.
Despite this though, there are notable differences between the two players in terms of profiles.
Firstly, whilst Salah is a wide attacker on paper, he’s more of a goalscorer than a goal-creator, coming into central areas and cutting in onto his favoured left foot to maximise shooting opportunities.
Nkunku however is right-footed, and in any event, is more of a creator than a scorer.
This isn’t to say he doesn’t carry a goal threat, because he has after all scored 29 times across his 112 Bundesliga appearances.
However, across that same period, he boasts a very impressive 40 assists.
The Frenchman will also average more crosses and passes into the penalty area per 90, however, Salah (3.6) will average significantly more shots per 90 than the Leipzig man (2.5).
The two might not marry up as similar based on their profiles, meaning Jurgen Klopp won't see him as a direct replacement.
However Nkunku is still an elite forward who at the age of 24 still has his best years ahead of him and therefore merits Liverpool's interest.
