Liverpool Weigh Up Future-Proofing vs Short-Term Striker Fix
The latest episode of The Daily Red Podcast on Anfield Index delivered a characteristically frank assessment from Dave Hendrick on Liverpool's attacking options, notably focusing on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Benjamin Sesko. Hendrick methodically dismantled the hype, spotlighting stats, context and character to decipher who, if either, could be Liverpool's next forward.
Mateta's Momentum or Mirage?
'Mateta is obviously a very good player and he's had a really good run,' Hendrick began, acknowledging the Crystal Palace striker's recent resurgence. Mateta, now 28, finished the 2023–24 season with 19 goals in 39 games, but Hendrick cautioned against reading too much into that stat line.
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'The arrival of [Oliver] Glasner, massively impactful. Absolutely massively impactful,' he said, contrasting it with Roy Hodgson's reign. 'For whatever reason, Roy Hodgson just stifles forward players… but when Glasner took over, he really took off.'
Photo IMAGO
However, the context is crucial. 'He doesn't score a single goal up until the 9th of December,' Hendrick pointed out, before rattling off a flurry of goals late in the campaign. 'So of his 19 goals, he'd scored six when Glasner took over… he gets a hat-trick against Aston Villa.'
For Hendrick, Mateta's ceiling is already reached: 'He's 28 years of age… I still don't see us buying him to be our starting nine. I could see it as a backup.' The projected fee of £40–£50 million drew further scrutiny: 'That does seem like a lot. Especially with this ownership group.'
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Sesko's Promise and Pitfalls
Turning to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Hendrick's tone shifted to cautious intrigue. 'Sesko intrigues me, but he terrifies me as well.' At just 22, the Slovenian has had a steady rise through Red Bull's talent machine, echoing Dominik Szoboszlai's path.
'Sesko's done similar… signed to Salzburg, loaned to Liefering… goes to Leipzig.' Hendrick praised his raw potential: 'He's 6'5, he's well built. He's an immense athlete… might have the best standing vertical jump in football.' He noted Sesko's finishing as streaky but impressive, adding, 'In each of the last two seasons, Sesko has overperformed his xG.'
Photo: IMAGO
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Despite that, Hendrick warned, 'He's very much a project… there's a lot to like about him, but you'd like to see a bit more consistency.' His league return of 13 goals in 33 games this past season is 'decent', but not 'win-now'.
Futureproofing or Front-Loading?
Hendrick drew a clear philosophical line between short-term fixes and long-term projects. 'I would be more in favour of a win-now striker because I would like to see us maximising the last few years of Mo and Virgil and Alisson.' Mateta, at 28, could be a pragmatic if underwhelming stopgap. Sesko, younger but unproven, demands patience.
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Comparing him to Hugo Ekitiké, Hendrick noted, 'Sesko's conversion rate is a lot better. I like his game a little bit more… Ekitiké feels like he's got a higher bust potential.' He did, however, highlight Sesko's goal output: '210 games, 70 more games [than Ekitiké], 40 more goals.'
Photo: IMAGO
Liverpool's Transfer Direction Still Unclear
While Mateta and Sesko dominate the rumour mill, Hendrick cast doubt over both. 'Neither of them seem like they're readymade,' he said. 'And I know Morgan Rogers isn't either, but Morgan Rogers is ready made to play in the division.'
In closing, Hendrick's view of Liverpool's strategy was measured and realistic. 'There's nothing guaranteed with either of them,' he concluded. 'What we know is Sesko is more proven. He's also more proven at international level, 41 caps, 16 goals.'
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Whether Liverpool go for experience in Mateta or gamble on youth in Sesko, Hendrick makes one thing clear: the Reds cannot afford to get this one wrong.
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