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LFC Globe Liverpool FC Opinion

The tactical suitability of Darwin Núñez, Cody Gakpo, and Fabio Carvalho

LFC Globe -

Liverpool's transfer business in the past year has been interesting, to say the least.

Splashing out £65m with add-ons reaching a grand fee of £85m for certainly raised eyebrows across the Liverpool faithful.

Spending almost £8m on the young gem seemed like a no-brainer, given his exploits in a free-scoring side that roared back to the after a tremendous season in the Sky Bet Championship.

While the January of from PSV brought confusion to fans considering the lack of investment in the midfield for the last few years, there was no doubt excitement about a player who came off an impressive showing, scoring three goals for the Netherlands.

Liverpool places great emphasis on versatility, that's why most players the club have brought in are able to play multiple positions and that ethos remained the same with the three recent signings mentioned.

Núñez, an extremely mobile striker who bagged 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica in 2020/21, was seen as the man who could lead the Liverpool line for years to come.

The Uruguayan's impressive physical attributes cause havoc on the left-hand side as he uses his sheer pace and dribbling ability to get past his opponents and lay the ball in the box for the likes of .

Núñez has been likened to fellow countryman Edinson Cavani with his movement perhaps his best trait as his constant marauding runs give an option, which was seen for Liverpool's opener in their recent 2-0 victory over Newcastle.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Fabio Carvalho, however, is an entirely different entity and perhaps a more obvious Liverpool ‘type' signing than Núñez at first glance.

The Portuguese youngster has played mostly as an attacking midfielder in his career so far but can also cause damage as a false nine or a left winger.

With the continuing drop-off of , many fans saw Carvalho as the long-term successor to the Brazilian thanks to his dribbling ability, close control, and penchant for goals.

While the 20-year-old made a bright start to his Reds career, netting against in a record 9-0 and scoring the late winner against Newcastle, he's since seen extremely limited game time.

The sheer amount of attacking options Liverpool possess has been difficult for the youngster to get minutes. His lack of physicality and pace makes him a choice before the likes of Luis Diaz, , and Cody Gakpo.

While it is still early in his career, Carvalho has a mountain to climb should he succeed at Liverpool.

Coming off his best season netting nine goals and 12 assists in the Eredivisie, Gakpo's big money move finally arrived as he joined Liverpool for an initial fee of £37m in January .

Proficient as a left winger and as a number nine, the latter being witnessed at the World Cup where Gakpo was the Netherlands' top scorer with three goals, the 23-year-old is another versatile attacking choice for Liverpool.

At 6 ft 4, Gakpo is the tallest attacking player at the club and is blessed with speed and excellent dribbling abilities that make him a danger for any defender.

He has so far been utilised as a striker for Liverpool and despite a slow start, he has scored in his last two Premier League as he finally gets his feet wet in the Premier League.

It's been a tough season for the club so far but it is still so early in these three players' careers and it'll be interesting to witness their growth over the coming years.