Liverpool have earmarked Inter Milan star Lautaro Martínez to replace Roberto Firmino
According to the Daily Express (h/t Calciomercato), Premier League giants Liverpool have identified Inter Milan ace Lautaro Martinez as a potential replacement for Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian has been one of the key cogs in Jurgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool. He formed a fearsome front three alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah that tore through opposition defences. Mane moved to Bayern Munich at the start of the summer, and Firmino could follow him out the door.
The 30-year-old is attracting strong interest from Italian giants Juventus. The Bianconeri are rebuilding after a disappointing 2021/22 campaign and are eyeing a summer move for the Samba star. So far, Liverpool have refused to play ball. But with just one year left on Firmino’s contract at Anfield, Juventus could make the Reds an offer they can’t refuse.
Firmino is already far from a first-team regular at Anfield. The emergence of Diogo Jota and the arrival of Darwin Nunez will make his quest for regular game time even more difficult. Whether he’s ready to stick around and fight for his spot or move elsewhere could also be a factor.
Anfield gone? (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Losing the Brazilian will leave Klopp short of a striker, and he has identified Martinez as one of the possible replacements. The Argentine is undoubtedly Inter Milan’s best striker and arrives after his best season with the Nerazzurri in 2021/22. He impressed against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League last season, scoring the winner in a 1-0 win at Anfield.
A reliable goalscorer with pace to burn, Martinez also has the game intelligence to thrive in Liverpool’s system. The 24-year-old Argentina international could link up well with fellow South Americans Núñez and Luis Diaz to form a fearsome new front three. Throw in Salah and the Reds’ attack looks stacked on paper.
However, replacing Firmino in Klopp’s system is no mean feat. The Brazilian has perfected the role of the false nine, and a great strength in his implementation is the intelligence of the game. He still has a lot to offer, and the Reds will be well advised to keep him.
Whether or not Liverpool move for Martinez depends on whether Juventus can agree a deal with the Merseysiders for Firmino. In many ways, it’s a transfer carousel that could be triggered like a domino.