- 10 hours ago
Liverpool target striker performing BETTER than Erling Haaland
Imre Himmelbauer
- 27 Feb 2025 05:45 CST
- 9 min read
Liverpool are in the market for a striker who is outperforming Manchester City ace Erling Haaland this season as they seek a potential replacement for Darwin Nunez.
Nunez has been the subject of criticism from manager Arne Slot and is destined to leave Anfield after failing to live up to expectations with the Merseyside club.
READ MORE: Salah makes statement that sounds like a goodbye to Liverpool
Compared
Darwin Núñez
F (C), AM (L)
Liverpool
Darwin Núñez
F (C), AM (L)
Liverpool
VS
João Pedro
F, M, AM (C)
Brighton
João Pedro
F, M, AM (C)
Brighton
2024/2025
Season Statistics
2024/2025
| 36 | Appearances | 22 |
| 6 | Goals | 7 |
| 4 | Assists | 6 |
| 18 | Key Passes | 21 |
| 57 | Shots Total | 35 |
| 31 | Tackles | 12 |
| 1726 | Minutes Played | 1538 |
Concrete interest in the Uruguay international comes from Saudi Arabia, with the striker having been targeted by Al-Nassr in January. Cristiano Ronaldo’s side was one that made a verbal offer of €70 million that was knocked back by Liverpool. Jhon Duran’s arrival from Aston Villa, however, would appear to have blocked that particular track.
Nunez is still expected to be on his way out of the club – but only if Liverpool can find a replacement.
The Reds have Brighton’s Joao Pedro in mind, with Slot’s side said to have “great admiration” for the Brazilian’s qualities.
The Seagulls are likely to be tough negotiators, though. Whether a deal is feasible will depend on where they finish in the league, what European tournament they are in and what their finances look like.
Liverpool are waiting patiently for now and are now focusing on the contract extensions of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Vrigil van Dijk, all of whom have expiring deals. The Premier League leaders will feel less pressure to find a new striker if Salah signs due to the number of goals the Egyptian is scoring, even though he is not a true striker.
EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal close in on Liverpool target for record transfer fee
An outstanding Premier League forward
According to data from SciSports, Joao Pedro is the best-performing striker in the Premier League this season after Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth), who mainly plays as a winger. The Brazilian is ahead of Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Alexander Isak (Newcastle United).
Joao Pedro vs Premier League strikers: 2024/25
The 23-year-old has played 22 times for Brighton this season and has returned seven goals and six assists.
Joao Pedro has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €61m, so will not come cheap.
