Ranking the top 5 attacking trios in Europe at the moment

MSN was arguably the best attacking trident in history
MSN was arguably the best attacking trident in history

The attacking department is one of the most important in any team, as it is primarily their duty to put the ball in the back of the net, hence the clubs spend millions to get the ideal players to lead their forward line, while coaches spend countless hours perfecting their attacking strategy.

A change in tactical systems over the last decade saw managers ditch the stoic 4-4-2 formation for a more fluid and dynamic 4-3-3, with three forwards leading the line, and this has generally led to generally more attack minded teams across Europe.

Top clubs on the continent have a number of marquee forwards who are charged with scoring the goals, and with another season of European football well into full gear, we shall be ranking the top five clubs with the best attacking trios based on their individual strengths, as well as their compatibility with one another.

#5 PSG (Neymar-Cavani-Mbappe)

Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C
Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Group C

There is every possibility that this attacking trident could be broken up before the end of the transfer window, as Neymar maintains a desire to return to Barcelona, but if the Brazilian international remains at the Parc des Princes, then the perennial Ligue 1 champions would be better off for it.

Though he has had his injury problems as well as disciplinary issues in recent years, when he is raring to go, there are only a handful of players better than Neymar, as the former Santos man holds the key to almost single-handedly unlock any defense in the world.

Kylian Mbappe is widely regarded as a future Ballon d'Or winner, and is hands down the best player of his generation and carried the team in the absence of Neymar and Cavani last season.

The latter is an elder statesman in the art of goalscoring, having conquered the scorer's charts in the Serie A and Ligue 1, and together, Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani can help fire PSG to a long elusive Champions League trophy if they can remain injury free.

#4 Arsenal (Pepe-Lacazette-Aubameyang)

Arsenal FC v Burnley FC - Premier League
Arsenal FC v Burnley FC - Premier League

Arsenal broke their transfer record three times in two years to make their attacking lineup what it is today, and it was money well spent.

First to come through the door was the highly rated Alexander Lacazette who arrived the Emirates after starring with Lyon in Ligue 1, and then came in the goal machine Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who had proved his mettle as an elite goalscorer with Borussia Dortmund.

The icing on the cake came over the summer when Arsenal signed the highly sought after Nicolas Pepe from Lille for a club record fee of £72m, and it goes without saying that the Gunners are much stronger due to the arrival of the Ivory Coast international.

Last season, the 24-year-old tore defenses in Ligue 1 to shreds, and ended the campaign with 24 goals and 12 assists, making him one of only two players (alongside Lionel Messi) who finished the season with double digits in goals and assists in Europe's top five leagues.

For his part, Aubameyang has been nothing short of exceptional since he arrived Arsenal. The speedster has scored 34 goals from 52 Premier League appearances, and ended last season as the joint highest goalscorer in the league.

Alexander Lacazette possesses excellent link-up play, and is a deadly finisher and together with his strike partners would prove to be a handful for opposition defenders to contain.

#3 Manchester City (Sterling-Aguero-Bernardo Silva)

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Manchester City are arguably the most dominant force in the history of the English game, as under the management of Pep Guardiola, the Mancunians have trumped all before them to set unprecedented records.

Their charge at the front has been led by Sergio Aguero, and over the last eight seasons, the Argentine international has played his way into being considered the greatest player in Manchester City's history.

The 31-year-old is any midfielder's dream, and with him in front of you, assists are guaranteed to be gotten, provided that chances are created for him.

Raheem Sterling has progressed from a highly rated but frustratingly inconsistent teenager into a goal machine under the watchful guidance of Pep Guardiola, and kick-started this season with a well taken hat-trick on the opening day.

There were many who doubted the possibility of the former Liverpool man starring under the Catalan, but Raheem Sterling has risen above naysayers to become the most indispensable member of City's attacking Arsenal.

The third spot in attack is very much open for rotation, as the injury sustained by Leroy Sane means that a number of players including Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva can occupy the spot.

The latter would however get the nod on most occasions, as he made the most of Kevin de Bruyne's injury last season to become one of the cornerstones of Manchester City.

The Cityzens score goals for fun, and with this three leading the line, the goals would once again pour in.

#2 Barcelona (Messi-Griezmann-Suarez)

Real Betis Balompie v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Real Betis Balompie v FC Barcelona - La Liga

When you have the privilege of having Lionel Messi in your squad, you are a step ahead of the rest of the competition, as not only is the 32-year-old the best player of his generation, he is also the best goalscorer, passer and most creative, in addition to being arguably the greatest in the history of the game.

This added to the world class abilities of Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann means that Barcelona have one of, if not the most potent attacking force in the world today.

In terms of sheer individual brilliance, the Barcelona attack thumps every other forward line out there, but the fact that they have not played together due to the recent acquisition of Antoine Griezmann is the only reason why they are not topping this list.

If the trio can effectively function as a unit, Barcelona could very well be unstoppable, and that long elusive sixth Champions League trophy could be theirs come May next year.

#1 Liverpool (Salah-Mane-Firmino)

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg

While the remaining tridents on this list have at least one marquee player who is the star attraction of the attacking unit, Liverpool's frontline is based on a collective rather than the individual.

This is to take nothing away from Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino, as they all are exceptionally brilliant footballers in their own right, but each complement one another, and their strength lies in the way they balance out.

Sadio Mane is the tireless workaholic who can be counted upon to step up on the big stages, while Mo Salah is the poster boy of Anfield who has cemented legendary status with his displays at Liverpool over the last two seasons.

Though not as flamboyant as the other two, Firmino is arguably the most important piece in Jurgen Klopp's attacking jigsaw, as the Brazilian's work ethic, team play and unselfishness serve as the pedestal for Mane and Salah to shine.

In 2017/2018, the trio outscored every other attack in Europe, combining for 91 goals, while their total of 160 goals in the last two seasons is truly spectacular and indicative of how much connection exists between all three.

Salah, Mane, and Firmino's importance to Liverpool is heightened, as the club lacks creativity in midfield, making them Jurgen Klopp's chief goal threat, and so far, they have not disappointed.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari