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Roberto Firmino has been a fantastic servant for Liverpool since sealing a move to the Merseyside club from Hoffenheim in 2015. The Brazilian attacker reinvented himself as a false 9 under Jurgen Klopp and played a pivotal role in the club's success in the past two seasons.
However, his lack of goals in recent months has become a bit of a problem for the reigning Premier League champions. While Firmino's link-up play and movement off the ball is as good as anyone's in the business, he has fluffed his lines in front of goals too many times for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool's torrid Premier League title defense has been one of the stories of the season, with the Reds struggling with injuries and inconsistency. All things considered, it goes without saying that Firmino has been one of their biggest disappointments, with the Brazilian failing to hit the heights he did in the 2018-19 campaign.
Liverpool face crucial Roberto Firmino decision this summer
Klopp's faith in the 29-year-old is unwavering, with the German tactician defending his #9 several times this season. However, Liverpool have to evolve this summer to build another great team, and Firmino's place in the starting XI is not as secure as it once was.
The Reds are reportedly set to enter the transfer market to sign another attacker in the coming months, with Firmino dividing opinion as the focal point of the attack and the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane approaching their 30s.
Diogo Jota has enjoyed a stunning start to his Liverpool career, but it has been suggested that the Reds will sign another attacker to add to their existing options this summer. As a result, the Portuguese winger has not been considered as an option.
On that note, here are five players Jurgen Klopp could turn to this summer to replace Roberto Firmino.
#5 Patson Daka | Red Bull Salzburg
Another prodigious talent who has reaped the rewards of RB Salzburg's scouting system and trust in youth players, Patson Daka has taken his game to the next level after the departure of Erling Haaland. The Zambian striker has been in brilliant form in front of goal this season and has already notched up 27 goals and eight assists in all competitions for Jesse Marsch's side.
Stylistically, Daka might not be the ideal candidate to replace Firmino. However, his goalscoring record makes for stunning reading and the 22-year-old's game could reach new heights if he's surrounded by better players.
Liverpool reportedly have a fantastic relationship with RB Salzburg — with players like Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino representing both clubs in recent seasons — and will look to raid the Austrian champions for their prized asset at the end of the season.
#4 Memphis Depay | Lyon
Memphis Depay could prove to be an intriguing option for Liverpool, with the Dutchman set to be out of contract at the end of the current season. Lyon are working hard to extend his deal, but it remains likely that he'll find a new club in the coming months, with Barcelona and Liverpool reportedly keeping tabs on him.
Memphis' failed stint with Manchester United is sure to be on the back of his head if he's offered a return to England, with the Dutchman indicating several times that he has unfinished business in the Premier League.
His versatility and the fact that he'd join on a free transfer could appeal to the Liverpool hierarchy. Furthermore, Depay has matured over the years and become a reliable player for club and country. Under a manager of Klopp's caliber, he could kick on further take the Premier League by storm in his second stint in the country.
#3 Donyell Malen | PSV Eindhoven
Another Dutch international on the list, Donyell Malen is also familiar with English football, having represented Arsenal's famous Hale End academy. The 22-year-old was sold prematurely by the Gunners in the summer of 2017, as he returned to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven.
Malen has taken the Eredivisie by storm in the past two seasons, with his devastating pace and dribbling ability terrorizing opposition defenders. Several top clubs across the continent have taken notice of his progress, with Liverpool set to be on the long list of his admirers.
Malen has notched up 23 goals and eight assists for PSV this season and is likely to move on in the coming months. At the age of 22, he has his whole career ahead of him and could be an intriguing addition to Liverpool's front line.
#2 Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund
To put things bluntly, any manager in the world would bite your hands off to have a player like Erling Haaland lead the line. The Norwegian sensation has enjoyed an astronomical rise to stardom in the past 18 months, having burst onto the scene at RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Haaland's stunning goalscoring exploits in the UEFA Champions League saw him turn heads across the continent, with as many as 10 European giants declaring their interest in him.
In the 2020-21 season, the 21-year-old has scored a staggering 33 goals in 31 appearances for Borussia Dortmund and has made a name for himself as one of the most feared attackers in world football.
Super agent Mino Raiola reportedly had meetings with representatives from Real Madrid and Barcelona in recent days, with clubs across the world scrambling for his signature. Liverpool are unlikely to cough up the cash to secure his signature, but as far as strikers go, they won't find too many better players on the market than the towering Norwegian.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
Hailed as one of the most prodigious talents of the 21st century, Kylian Mbappe has already enjoyed a stunning career for club and country. The 22-year-old has already won countless trophies in Ligue 1 and the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018, as he looks set to become one of the most decorated players of all time.
Renowned for his explosive pace, dribbling ability and finishing, Mbappe is the dream inside forward for any team in the world. The Frenchman has excelled in different positions across the forward line for Paris Saint-Germain and France and could well be the final piece of Liverpool's attacking jigsaw.
In the 2020-21 season, the former Monaco man recorded 30 goals and nine assists for the Ligue 1 champions, including a famous hat-trick against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 stage.
Mbappe is believed to be desperate for a move to Real Madrid, but Liverpool could throw a spanner in the works if they manage to convince the Frenchman that Anfield is the perfect destination to fulfill his outrageous potential.
