Liverpool may be forced to pivot in their striker search after Newcastle United reportedly rejected a hefty £110 million offer for Alexander Isak. And now, a new name is quietly gaining traction — Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace.

🔴 The Isak Deal That Wasn’t With doubts lingering over Darwin Nunez’s consistency in front of goal — having managed just five league goals in 30 outings last season — Arne Slot has been hunting for a reliable frontman. Isak, who scored an impressive 23 Premier League goals in 34 games last campaign, appeared to fit the bill perfectly. But with Newcastle standing firm, Liverpool are exploring other avenues.

👀 Mateta: An Unexpected Contender Reports now suggest the Reds could reignite interest in Mateta, who has just two years left on his Palace deal and is yet to sign an extension despite earlier negotiations. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson revealed last month that Liverpool had already looked into signing the French forward.

Although Mateta may not carry the same star power as Isak, his Premier League experience and growing goal tally — 30 goals across the last two seasons — make him a credible option. His link-up play with Eberechi Eze and strong presence as a lone striker could offer Slot the tactical flexibility he needs during this transitional period.

💰 Value and Versatility Aside from being more affordable, Mateta’s ability to create space and elevate those around him could be invaluable — especially in a squad still developing chemistry under a new manager. For a team aiming to remain competitive on multiple fronts, having a striker like Mateta in the mix might just be the surprise masterstroke.

🌀 Ekitike’s Potential New Role As Liverpool continue to reshape their attack, questions are now being asked about Hugo Ekitike’s role. Brought in after a solid campaign with Eintracht Frankfurt — where he netted 15 times and recorded eight assists — Ekitike is known for his positional flexibility.

With Luis Diaz now at Bayern Munich, Ekitike could be shifted to the left wing, allowing someone like Mateta to operate centrally. This setup would open space for Florian Wirtz to play as a No. 10, creating a dynamic attacking trio that combines pace, creativity, and finishing power.

🔥 Final Word While Mateta may not have been the headline-grabbing name fans were expecting, his blend of top-flight experience and untapped potential might make him a clever acquisition. Slot’s vision for Liverpool’s new-look attack is coming into focus — and Mateta could be a key piece in that puzzle.