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All eyes will be on Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike when Liverpool returns from the international break - although there is another striker eager to make his mark at Anfield this season.
The Reds went all out to strengthen their options in the No. 9 role as Darwin Nunez departed for Saudi Arabia, with Ekitike arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt before the Premier League transfer record was broken for a second time in the same summer for Isak.
The latter is expected to become the first-choice option following his $169 million move, although Ekitike has already made a compelling case to lead the line, having scored three times in four games this season.
That leaves Arne Slot with a big decision to make when his players return from international duty in a few days’ time, and he still has another frontman in reserve who has been catching the eye.
Jayden Danns will be hoping for a better season this time around, having struggled with injuries during the 2024/25 campaign that prevented him from heading out on loan to Plymouth.
It also stopped him from making a single appearance for Sunderland during the second half of the season.
The 19-year-old, who first came to prominence after impressing during Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign, already looks to be enjoying better fortunes, having made two appearances for Liverpool U21s so far this season and earning a call-up for England’s U20s.
Danns captained the Young Lions against Italy on Friday.
Although England fell to a 2-1 defeat in Chesterfield, the Liverpool academy star did his hopes of getting more opportunities under Slot no harm as he scored for his country, providing a tidy finish to equalize shortly after the visitors’ opener.
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Having stayed put during the summer transfer window, Danns will now be hoping he can catch Slot’s eye over the coming months and get more opportunities to stake a claim for more first-team opportunities.
With Isak and Ekitike likely to battle it out for the No. 9 role in the Premier League and Champions League, the teenager’s best chance for senior game time is likely to come in the Carabao Cup.
The Reds face Southampton in the third round on September 23 as they begin their quest for a third Wembley appearance in as many years.
Liverpool will also aim to go one better than last season after defeat to Newcastle in the final.
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