Why Joao Pedro is FAVOURED over Alexander Isak

Beyond the efforts of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool's attack has been lacking quality this season and as such, it should come to no surprise that attacking recruits are on the club's shopping list this summer.

Anfield Watch understands that Arne Slot, Richard Hughes and the Reds' recruitment team are looking to freshen up the attack and the major concerns lie over Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.

Liverpool Transfer News: Kerkez BOMBSHELL as offer put to star

Jota has been at the club since 2020 and over the last few seasons it has become increasingly clear that while he is Liverpool's best striker, he simply isn't available enough to be considered a reliable asset for the club - he has missed 41 games for club and country over the last two seasons.

READ MORE: The TRUTH behind Mo Salah's surprise PSG meeting

Meanwhile, Diaz has been increasingly marginalised by his compatriot at left-wing in Gakpo, and while slot has attempted to play him in a centre-forward role at times to account for the club's striker issues, he has struggled to deliver the goal contributions expected of him.

Finally, Nunez looks to have run out of rope after three successive seasons of sub-optimal performances. His £85m transfer fee always demanded a certain amount from him, but despite several attempts to help him fit in at the club, it seems as though the mismatch is too significant an obstacle to overcome.

As such, a forward player is the likely next recruit, more specifically a striker, and while Alexander Isak from Newcastle is most people's number one target, another player looks set to compete with him to join the Reds.

Joao Pedro is 'open' to joining Liverpool this summer

While Isak has lit up the Premier League season, and is the clear favourite for a big move going forward, Joao Pedro has also demonstrated similar star qualities at Brighton, and Liverpool would be foolish to dismiss him when assessing the available options.

According to Empire of the Kop, the club views him as a potential alternative to Nunez, with the Brazilian's ability to play a number of positions being noted as a major selling point - he has featured as a winger and a second striker alongside his primary centre-forward role.

An opening offer for the 23-year-old would reportedly be around €50m (£42m) which would be substantially lower than the £150m price tag that Newcastle have placed on Isak.

In addition, while Isak is more prolific in front of goal, there is a growing concern that the Swede might be an accident waiting to happen in regard to his lingering injury concerns.

It is unknown whether Liverpool would sell both Jota and Nunez in the summer, and the predicament is that while Jota is effective, he is often unavailable, and likewise Nunez is often ineffective, but he is rarely injured.

Of course, if Isak is the chosen target, then several transfers would need to take place for the Reds to find enough money to make the move possible, whereas £52m for Pedro would be a significantly more straightforward deal, and perhaps Liverpool would be less ruthless in their approach this summer.

READ MORE: Why Darwin Nunez has decided to LEAVE Liverpool

Nonetheless, the options are on the table and the Reds' recruitment team will have a lot to consider when the transfer window opens again on June 1.

READ MORE: Transfer target shows Liverpool EXACTLY what they're missing