How Victor Osimhen would line up for Liverpool under Arne Slot if Darwin Núñez were to be replaced

Arne Slot, the incoming manager of Liverpool, will take up a well-known Darwin Núñez query. Victor Osimhen is mentioned as a potential transfer market solution.

A talented Liverpool team is being left behind by Jürgen Klopp. However, Arne Slot would also inherit a tonne of questions if he is appointed as anticipated.

Over the past month or two, the number of those has increased somewhat as Liverpool’s title push and prospects for more hardware have crumbled. Although Klopp has made significant improvements to the team that was not eligible for the Champions League the previous season, issues still need to be resolved.

Slot, for example, will be taking over a club that has a history of failing to keep clean sheets. Though it has become more apparent in recent weeks, this has been a season-long pattern, with the comebacks that dotted the early stages of the campaign only being made feasible by a tendency to fall behind.

Darwin Núñez is the player on the opposite end of the pitch. Though, given his recent record, Slot might legitimately criticise any of the Liverpool forwards, the Uruguayan has come to represent the finishing issues that have finally wrecked Klopp’s final season in charge.

As his second season at Liverpool draws to a close, Núñez ought to have accomplished more by now. Admired by the Kop from the word “go” for his overall chaotic demeanour and propensity to create opportunities for himself, the belief was that in year two he would light up in front of goal, much like he did at Benfica.

Rather, a substantial amount of evidence currently suggests that Núñez is just not a good finisher. the must be compared to the incredible Benfica season that first spurred Liverpool to smash its transfer record, but it’s difficult to argue that the 24-year-old is merely experiencing a two-year run of bad luck.

With his ability to put himself in risky situations, Núñez would be a huge asset for any team striving for the championship, even if he could only return to ordinary finishing. Slot will have to choose how much of a patient person he is. However, Victor Osimhen’s entry into the market gives the conundrum an intriguing new angle.

Liverpool has reportedly joined the list of suitors for Osimhen, who wants to leave Napoli this summer, according to Corriere dello Sport. Arsenal, PSG, Chelsea, Manchester United, and others have reportedly expressed interest.

The Nigerian would represent a change from the traditional Liverpool recruitment process and would not come cheap in terms of salaries or transfer fees. However, at 25, Osimhen is about to enter his prime years and is practically the opposite of Núñez in that he has a long history of meeting or beyond his expectations.

Given their common tendency to find themselves in advantageous circumstances, Osimhen might potentially improve Liverpool right away, even if it means making a harsh decision to substitute Núñez. And the player himself would undoubtedly take a look at a pitch from Anfield; according to Gazzetta dello Sport, he prefers the Premier League, and neither Chelsea nor Manchester United can give Champions League football.

If Slot managed this fictitious coup, how might he line up? Osimhen would undoubtedly deserve a spot through the middle upon his arrival, but there’s really not much he could do with the Liverpool starting lineup.

Who should play either side of him would then be the question. Under the tutelage of his compatriot, Cody Gakpo has a chance to flourish in his natural left-wing spot. Being one of Liverpool’s younger alternatives, he possesses the quickness and explosiveness that Slot prefers in his wingers. Under Klopp, he hasn’t always demonstrated that in different roles, but his PSV days serve as a clear blueprint.

Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly the starting point for Slot on the right, especially in light of the recent announcement that he will remain. Similar to Klopp, he might eventually feel obliged to bench him for specific games, which is a conflict he will have to deal with. However, the general consensus is that the Egyptian owns the right wing.

Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota are excellent bench possibilities. Given the energy he requires, Slot has frequently switched out his wingers after around an hour in the Eredivisie, so having these highly successful backups available would be beneficial. In principle, Núñez himself might play the same role, but it’s unlikely that he would stay if Osimhen showed up.

Núñez has ultimately demonstrated the ability to match or even surpass Osimhen, so Slot and the transfer group will probably be able to maintain their composure with him. However, should the switch go through, the possible attack appears lethal, which is something we haven’t been able to say about Liverpool in recent times.