{"id":252843,"date":"2026-07-13T19:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/why-english-striker-could-become-iraolas-new-kroupi-at-liverpool\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T19:40:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:40:12","slug":"why-english-striker-could-become-iraolas-new-kroupi-at-liverpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/13\/why-english-striker-could-become-iraolas-new-kroupi-at-liverpool\/","title":{"rendered":"Why English striker could become Iraola’s new Kroupi at Liverpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It’s all quiet on the transfer front for Liverpool<\/a>, but Andoni Iraola<\/a> expects to welcome a number of further first-team signings to his side by the close of the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

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The Spanish coach inherits a talented squad, laden with title winners and big-money superstars. But bringing all the ingredients together is another question, and one aggravated by Hugo Ekitike<\/a>‘s long-term injury and the departure of Mohamed Salah<\/a> at the end of his contract two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

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Liverpool Top Scorers 25\/26 (all comps)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Apps<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hugo Ekitike<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dominik Szoboszlai<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

53<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mohamed Salah<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

41<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Cody Gakpo<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Virgil van Dijk<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

There are a number of variables to consider: Victor Munoz has already been signed to balance out the left side of the Reds frontline, and Alexander Isak will be expected to bounce back to world-class form after an injury-hit first year on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

But Liverpool still need to add more firepower to their squad, and time is ticking this summer.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Liverpool are planning to strength their frontline<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

It should go without saying that Salah needs replacing this summer, and while noise continues to boom around Bradley Barcola, the French winger is not a natural right-sider, so whether spending \u00a3128m on him would be the best track may well be open to debate.<\/p>\n

One thing is clear: Iraola wants fast and fit players who are willing to press forward and take risks, rekindling the flame of excitement that flickered out at Anfield last season.<\/p>\n

Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh has emerged as a top target for the Anfield side<\/a>, but the \u00a380m-rated winger would not answer the No. 9 conundrum that Iraola is bound to have wrestled with over the past month.<\/p>\n

Isak is one injury away from limiting Liverpool’s central striking options – perhaps detrimentally. Do the Reds have the time and the resources to target such a foil this summer?<\/p>\n

They have been among the myriad of elite Premier League outfits expressing interest in Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, and perhaps they have the edge, with the \u00a390m-rated striker<\/a> playing under Iraola last year.<\/p>\n

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\n \n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Perhaps not, but Iraola may find a ready-made option in Liverpool’s youth ranks, someone who can emulate Kroupi under the Spaniard’s management.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Liverpool already have their own Kroupi<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The 20-year-old Kroupi scored 13 goals in the Premier League last season. He only missed three big chances, and he has established himself as a potential superstar.<\/p>\n

Liverpool would love to have the dynamic attacker in their ranks, but at \u00a390m, it might be a touch steep, especially when Iraola has a teenage sensation waiting to make the giant leap forward.<\/p>\n

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Most Goals in a Prem Debut Season (teenagers)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Club<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Goals<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Junior Kroupi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Bournemouth (25\/26)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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13<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Robbie Fowler<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Liverpool (93\/94)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Robbie Keane<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Coventry (99\/00)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Kevin Gallen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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QPR (95\/96)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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10<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Indeed, Liverpool may fancy their chances of unleashing their own version next season in 18-year-old Will Wright, with some online discussions suggesting<\/a> that he could be the next Michael Owen.<\/p>\n

“Obviously hope to go on tour maybe, get some minutes and show the fans what I’m about. Then long-term plans, hopefully just play for Liverpool and become the No.9,” Wright said in a recent interview<\/a>, claiming that he wants a shot over the pre-season phase to show the new coach what he is about.<\/p>\n

A year ago, Wright completed a \u00a3200k move from Salford City to Anfield, and he has already outlined lofty ambitions at the club, setting his sights on cementing himself as Liverpool’s No. 9 in the future.<\/p>\n

Already standing at 6 foot 4, the 18-year-old has scored six goals and supplied five assists across 16 matches in the U21 Premier League for Liverpool, and his natural-born finishing instinct could set him up to play a similar role as Kroupi did for Iraola, perhaps not from the get-go, but maybe deeper into the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n

Hailed as a “great finisher<\/a>” by Liverpool journalist Bence Boscak, Wright does have an innate power in front of goal, and his rangy frame and his physicality could see him challenge the likes of Isak for a starting berth, perhaps snatching at the chances that come his way.<\/p>\n

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\n \"eli-kroupi-bournemouth-premier-league\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Kroupi is a top talent, but he probably costs too much for Liverpool this summer, what with so many other creases to iron out over the next few months.<\/p>\n

Perhaps this is a good omen as far as Wright is concerned. He must be let off the leash when the right situation arises next season. He might just surprise a few with his prodigious potential.<\/p>\n