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Arne Slot has said he is happy with his Liverpool attacking options, hinting the Reds may not look for an alternative if they fail to sign Alexander Isak in the final week of the transfer market.
Liverpool saw a bid for Isak rejected last month and is yet to return with a fresh offer, although reports have suggested that could emerge following Monday’s match against Newcastle.
If the Reds don’t sign Isak, it could leave Slot light on options in the more advanced areas. Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Cody Gakpo are Liverpool’s current preferred front three, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha playing support roles.
Considering Slot’s squad had six international forwards last season, it has led some - including Jamie Carragher - to claim reinforcements are needed before the window shuts on September 1. However, Slot does not necessarily agree.
“It depends how you want to look at it,” the Dutchman said ahead of Monday’s clash against Newcastle.
“If you want to add Florian Wirtz as an attacking option, then you can make it five, so yeah, we've sold Darwin [Nunez] and brought in Hugo. Lucho [Luis Diaz] has gone, you can maybe see Florian as a replacement for that.
“Yes, we all know what happened to Diogo [Jota]. If you look at it like this, maybe we haven't [got enough] but Jeremie Frimpong, when he is fit, is definitely an option to play as a winger as well, so then we end up at six forwards.”
Utilizing Wirtz as a false nine is an intriguing prospect, and the German international has played in that role previously.
He is also comfortable playing in the wide areas, and deploying the 22-year-old in a more advanced role would allow Slot to select his preferred midfield from last season of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
“I would consider him for more games in that [false nine] position,” Slot said, when pushed on Wirtz's versatility.
“But it depends not only on bringing in an extra midfielder, but it depends on tactics, how they line up, all these kinds of things.
“He is already an option to play as a left winger, and he can be an option for the upcoming game. Cody played a good game against Bournemouth as well.”
Slot also has a selection concern at right-back ahead of Monday’s game at St. James Park, with Frimpong injured and the fitness of Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez in doubt. Wataru Endo could, therefore, be deployed in defense.
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