Liverpool’s summer is already shaping up as one of the most dramatic in recent memory. Just days after Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off with a ruptured Achilles in the 31st minute of the 2-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the club has been forced to rip up its attacking blueprint — and accelerate plans for not one but two major forward reinforcements.
The injury is a brutal blow for Ekitike himself: six to nine months on the sidelines and the World Cup gone. It is equally punishing for Liverpool. Having spent huge money last summer to overhaul their forward line with Ekitike, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the Reds have now accepted they must go back into the market immediately.
A new right winger to replace Mohamed Salah was already locked in. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande remains the top target. But Ekitike’s absence has made a second versatile forward an absolute priority. Sources confirm Liverpool are now seriously accelerating their pursuit of a dual-purpose attacker, with Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye heading the shortlist.
Gordon is the standout name. Despite his Everton roots, the England international grew up a Liverpool supporter. Newcastle value him at £95-100 million, though Liverpool and Arsenal are expected to open negotiations closer to the £75 million mark. Bayern Munich have also been linked, yet those close to the player believe it would be almost impossible for Gordon to turn down a move to Anfield given his boyhood allegiance. A deal in that region would instantly become one of the summer’s biggest statements — the monstrous £100m-class arrival Liverpool are ready to deliver.
While the recruitment department works overtime, the exit door at Anfield is spinning faster than ever. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson have already been confirmed as departures. Now The Athletic’s trusted Liverpool reporter James Pearce has delivered a sobering assessment of the squad overhaul required, naming four more senior players whose futures are in serious doubt.
Federico Chiesa is expected to leave, with a return to Juventus heavily rumoured. Doubts also remain over Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones, both of whom have only one year left on their contracts. Pearce further questioned whether it is time to cash in on Alexis Mac Allister amid his recent downturn in form — especially with Real Madrid known to be monitoring the Argentine midfielder. Ibrahima Konate’s situation is more fluid; while Pearce highlighted ongoing uncertainty, Liverpool sources confirmed on April 6 that a broad agreement is already in place over a new contract.
Even goalkeeper Alisson could yet be added to the list. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are plotting a ground-breaking summer in which they will pursue a blockbuster raid on several elite targets, including Alisson as their number-one goalkeeper choice, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, and attempts to bring Riccardo Calafiori and Sandro Tonali back to Italy. Liverpool, however, are determined to keep the Brazilian for at least one more season.
In short, Liverpool are playing no games. The club that transformed its attack last summer is now preparing for another major reset — one incoming signing that could cost close to £100 million, four established first-team players potentially heading for the exit, and the confirmed departures of two club legends. The exit door is spinning. The rebuild is underway. And Anfield is showing once again that when it comes to squad evolution, they refuse to stand still.