FEATURE | Is Jonathan David Liverpool’s ideal solution to a long-term striking problem? | OneFootball

A long-standing problem on Merseyside has been the centre forward position. Under Jurgen Klopp, Roberto Firmino was almost untouchable and a vital cog in the system the German head coach deployed at the Reds. However, since the departure of the dynamic Brazilian, the Premier League leaders have struggled to find a long-term heir.

Diogo Jota is often praised as one of the greatest finishers the football club has ever had. Such qualities make him a real asset for Arne Slot, yet inconsistency with fitness issues have prevented the Portuguese international from ever being a dependable option for the number nine position.

Another option for the former Feyenoord boss is Darwin Nunez. Capable of game-defying moments as were witnessed against Brentford on Saturday, the Uruguayan forward undoubtedly has talent. Nevertheless, with his talents often displayed sparingly and frustrations bubbling over a lack of consistency, a belief has developed that the former Benfica striker is unable to produce enough to be considered the long-term solution for Slot.

As a result, a striker is considered a potential issue that needs addressing for the Merseyside outfit under their new boss. With Lille arriving in town on Tuesday as the two sides face off in the Champions League, the long-term solution to the problem could be arriving on Merseyside sooner than they think.

Jonathan David is a name who is routinely linked with a move to the Premier League as the rumour mill starts going ahead of transfer windows. The forward’s contract with Les Dogues is set to expire in June 2025 meaning that a move to the English top flight is likely to materialise now more than ever given there would be no transfer fee involved to bring him from across the channel.

With Liverpool potentially needing to recruit in the centre-forward position, Tuesday night could be an initial audition before a move in the summer transfer window. One question remains though – would the Canadian international solve the existing problems from which the Reds suffer?

Although there are no doubts of the abilities Jota possesses to lead the line for Liverpool, injuries have become the fulcrum of his career on Merseyside and have prevented him from ever developing momentum in the position. By comparison, David’s injury record since he arrived in Northern France has been exemplary. The 25-year-old has only ever missed three games through injury since he joined Lille in 2020. With such a clean bill of health throughout his career, the New York-born forward would eradicate any doubts or worries over availability if he were to be signed on a free transfer.

David’s track record of availability will be a massive plus point for any club interested in his services. However, if Liverpool’s data-led approach to transfers has shown us anything, any sanctioned signing will rely on much more than a clean bill of health.

A key metric that would be considered by any club interested in his services would be his efficiency and output in front of goal. The Canadian attacker has a high level of consistency when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. The lowest tally recorded by David since he arrived at Les Dogues is 13 goals. For context, this was in his first season at the Ligue 1 club and he has continued to post higher if not comparable numbers in every season since. This term the forward has already scored 17 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions – an average of 0.57 goals per game.

Whilst goalscoring is the primary role of any striker, Arne Slot expects his forwards to do much more than score goals. One criticism levelled at Nuñez is his suitability to the style of the Dutchman. Aggressive pressing suits the Uruguyan international but the forward benefits from a more direct style where the focus is to play in behind than the former AZ Alkmaar coach operates with.

Slot expects his striker to be able to operate with versatility across the frontline and facilitate play. In attacking phases, the Liverpool boss focuses on his team playing vertically. Where possible, passes are focused on being forward and positive. Not only does this require good positioning from a striker but also an ability to replicate the principle of vertical progressive passing. Whilst the aim is to play forwards this isn’t always in behind, with overlapping runs and a focus in wide areas an important cog of the way Slot’s teams create openings.

David suits this to a tee. A willing runner, the Canadian is more than willing to operate in wide areas and rotate with attacking counterparts. The forward is also used to playing in a facilitative role, playing 87 matches as a second striker or attacking midfielder, and excels in dropping from the forward line and being able to hold up play to bring others into action.

Another reason why the 25-year-old could suit Slot’s style is his incredible mobility and work rate. Something which all Liverpool attackers must be able to do is press. Since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp, pressing has become a major part of the Merseyside club’s philosophy. The Lille forward is one of Europe’s most prolific and effective pressing attackers with almost half of these coming in the final third showing ability to win the ball high up the pitch.

Based on his characteristics, Jonathan David would seem to solve several of the issues Liverpool have in the final third and the traits they require. The Canadian being available on a free transfer may only intensify his attractiveness to scouts of the Reds. However, with a luxury of attacking options already, it would likely take a sale before the Merseyside outfit would consider a move for the Lille attacker.

GFFN | Liam Wraith