Liverpool don’t need a striker – we need another Mane, says Jamie Carragher

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Jamie Carragher says Liverpool should prioritise on the recruitment of another Sadio Mane rather than signing a striker this summer.

Liverpool’s front three – made up of Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah – scored 57 of the Reds’ 84 goals in the Premier League this season.

Salah netted 32 of those goals, while Firmino scored 15 and Mane bagged ten. But Liverpool have lacked strength in depth in the final third this term.

Adam Lallana has spent much of the season sidelined through injury, while Daniel Sturridge was loaned out to West Brom and Dominic Solanke didn’t score his first goal until the final day of the campaign.

Despite those issues, Carragher believes his former club should be looking at “multi-functional” players like Mane rather than a centre-forward.

“You have to be concerned,” Carragher told Goal. “I thought the squad was very good at the start of the season, but I think what it lacks is cover for the front three. When one of them misses out, the quality coming in is not enough.

“[Naby] Keita will add quality to the midfield, but I think we do still lack a little bit since [Philippe] Coutinho went in terms of that final pass. Defensively we’re fine in terms of numbers, but I think we need something more in the final third.

“We don’t need a striker. We need a multi-functional player. Another Mane, if you like. You could probably play Mane up front if you wanted to. He can play left, right or up front, someone like Alexis Sanchez.

“There’s no point bringing in a striker to cover for Firmino and sitting him on the bench. You need someone who can come in and cover for one or two players with quality, start games when he needs to and compete with the others.”

Is Nabil Fekir the answer?

Carragher thinks Liverpool should attempt to recruit an attacker who can offer more than just goals.

Reportedly, a long-term target for the Merseyside club is Lyon star Nabil Fekir, who arguably fits the bill.

As well as being a creative force, the 24-year-old has scored 23 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions this season.

What’s more, Fekir has a better shot accuracy rate (68%) than Neymar (63%) in Ligue 1 this term.