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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Randal Kolo Muani, Victor Osimhen and three more Roberto Firmino replacements Liverpool could sign

Roberto Firmino's time at Liverpool will end in the summer as the curtain closes on his chapter at Anfield.

With Jurgen Klopp's side set for a summer restructure elsewhere in the squad, it poses the question of whether the absence and void left by the Brazilian will be replaced or if the German will look to the current firepower within the squad.

Firmino has suffered with injuries this season during a campaign which has seen their problems shift from the backline to the forwards. Cody Gakpo arrived at the beginning of the year in a bid to ease their issues after Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz suffered long-term injuries as Darwin Nunez had spells in and out of the starting line-up.

READ MORE: Roberto Firmino to leave Liverpool as summer transfer priorities confirmed

READ MORE: Roberto Firmino's agent breaks silence on 'unbelievably emotional' Liverpool exit

Liverpool opted to delve into the Bundesliga talent pool in 2015 where they picked the forward up from Hoffenheim. He arrived as a 23-year-old and has gone on to score 107 goals in 353 appearances.

Jude Bellingham is among the possible targets who could arrive at Anfield with some reports suggesting reinforcements at the back could too be called upon, but it remains unlikely that there will be a move for the 31-year-old's replacement due to the current options within the squad.

However, should that change here are some options that the Reds could target.

Andre Silva - RB Leipzig

Andre Silva is one of the older options out there at the age of 27. Four years junior to the departing Brazilian, Silva has experience with AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt prior to his move to Die Roten Bullen. Whether it's as an out-and-out striker or deployed to drop in pockets to receive the ball or allow space for the wide players, Silva offers that flexibility going forward.

Klopp will no doubt keep an eye on the Bundesliga, a league where he established himself and plucked some of his signings from, in particular the Red Bull network. Some have been better than others in that respect but it's a rarity for the Liverpool scouting network and with the input of the German to make mistakes in the market.

The 27-year-old has three years remaining on his current contract with Leipzig and could prove to be a stumbling block in negotiations as Marco Rose's side hold the chips in the situation.

Jonathan Burkardt - FSV Mainz

Outside of the Bundesliga, it'll come as a surprise to see the 22-year-old mentioned. However, the Mainz striker has garnered hype surrounding his emergence for Klopp's former side after helping ignite their resurgence in the German top-flight.

The Mainz attacker offers a flexibility which would help boost selection options for the Liverpool head coach. Throughout his early career in professional football, he has been deployed as an attacking midfielder, a support striker or a centre-forward.

In 93 appearances, he has 18 goals and he poses the perfect alternative for a Firmino-styled player which focuses on dropping between the lines and integrating attackers and midfielders into the game.

There could be cause for concern if Liverpool do turn to the market for a replacement and focus on Burkardt as he recovers from knee surgery which has sidelined him for a number of weeks.

Noah Okafor - RB Salzburg

Noah Okafor will be 23 by the time of Roberto Firmino's departure, the same age in which he arrived at Liverpool from Hoffenheim. Like Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino, Okafor is spending his formative years in the Red Bull network where is enjoying the fruits of his labour at RB Salzburg.

The Swiss international has scored 34 goals in 105 appearances and offers the versatile forward option that has seen the aforementioned Mane deployed in under Klopp. Okafor can offer options on the right, left and down the middle - a trademark of what has been introduced in recent seasons with Gakpo, capable of playing down the left and the middle, as well as Nunez.

Despite his age, he is capable of posing a threat behind defences while offering the other side where he can get the ball to feet as well as feeding the players willing to run beyond him.

Unlike Andre Silva and an extended period on his current contract, Okafor's contract will expire in 18 months. As his contract ticks down, it could work in Liverpool's favour as they won't be forced to fall foul of the selling clubs financial demands.

Randal Kolo Muani - Eintracht Frankfurt

Randal Kolo Muani is a player who is growing in greater prominence around Europe. He was classed as an unknown entity at the World Cup in Qatar but proved his importance to Didier Deschamps' side as they were edged out in the final. He could've written himself in the history books only to be denied by Emi Martinez in extra-time.

In recent weeks, Liverpool have been linked with the Frenchman as more and more top European clubs begin to be mooted with his services. Like Okafor, Muani is an energetic forward who has previously been likened as the next Sadio Mane when mentioned in the same conversation as the Reds. With eye-catching statistics, it bears no surprise to see top clubs lurking with his versatility.

Firmino has revolutionised forward-play and interlinking transitions with the 24-year-old showing traces of the foundations already. His profile matches the one which Liverpool often target. A number nine by name and nature for Eintracht Frankfurt with 10 goals in 21 appearances, he has been utilised as an attacking midfielder as well as a right-winger under Oliver Glasner.

Although, it's unlikely he'll be prized away from the SGE Arena in a shrewd piece of business after only recently arriving in the Bundesliga with a contract until 2027.

Victor Osimhen - Napoli

Out of this list, Victor Osimhen remains one of the longshots and would be a marquee signing - in the same regard as Darwin Nunez was last summer. The 24-year-old has been a standout star for Luciano Spaletti's side in Serie A this season.

Napoli sit at the summit of Italian football as they eye their first league triumph since the 1989-90 season.

Osimhen has 19 goals in 21 league appearances this season as he exudes the quality of a modern striker with his impeccable athleticism, eye for goal and instincts. His ability to play as a hold-up striker and interlinking play makes him an ideal replacement for Firmino.

Meanwhile, he has also shown his prowess at running in behind - as Liverpool found out in the Champions League.

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