Liverpool bid farewell to one of their legendary strikers when Roberto Firmino departed the club at the end of his contract at Anfield this summer. Typically, such departures lead to a transition period as the club seeks a replacement.

However, Liverpool appears to have navigated this situation smoothly, as they already have two players, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez, who could seamlessly fill Firmino’s role. The challenge now is determining which of these two should be the starting striker.

Form: In terms of current form, Darwin Nunez takes the lead. He has notched four goals and two assists in all competitions for the 2023/24 season, while Gakpo has scored just one goal during the same period. This category clearly goes to Nunez.

Link-up play: When Liverpool faced a shortage of midfield options earlier in the season, Cody Gakpo was deployed in the center of the park instead of Nunez. Gakpo’s ability to drop in and receive the ball with precision, along with his impressive passing statistics, suggests that he excels in linking up play. He completes more passes per game than Nunez, making him the winner in this category.

Work rate: Jurgen Klopp has praised Nunez for his improved defensive efforts this season, highlighting his commitment and coordination. Nunez’s enhanced work rate earns him the victory in this category.

Finishing: Nunez tends to take more shots per game, with a significant portion on target, whereas Gakpo prioritizes quality over quantity, boasting an impressive shots on target to goals ratio. Gakpo’s efficiency in front of goal earns him the win in the finishing category.

Potential: Both players are 24 years old, and while they are at similar stages in their careers, Nunez’s recent performances indicate more room for growth and improvement, making him the player with greater potential.

Overall winner: Darwin Nunez emerges as the overall winner, with his recent form, work rate, and potential tipping the scales in his favor as Liverpool’s starting striker moving forward. His noticeable improvements in various aspects of his game make him the preferred choice for the role.