Jean-Philippe Mateta: Liverpool's Wildcard Striker Option
Liverpool's striker options are running on empty, but could Mateta be the answer?
Jean-Philippe Mateta to Liverpool? Why It Would Surprise Me
Liverpool fans have every reason to be excited right now. After Arne Slot’s stunning first season at Anfield, crowned with a Premier League title, the ambition is clear: stay at the top. With big signings like Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Freddie Woodman already through the door, the focus now turns to the forward line. But one name that keeps circulating, Jean-Philippe Mateta, leaves me hesitant.
While Mateta has proven himself as a brilliant Premier League forward, the idea of him spearheading Liverpool’s attack feels mismatched. Let me explain why.
Mateta's Strengths and Why He Attracts Attention
Jean-Philippe Mateta is a player with clear quality. Last season, he netted 14 Premier League goals, matching his expected goals, and chipped in with a couple of assists. Standing at 6’4”, he offers physical presence, can hold up the ball, and is surprisingly nimble for his size. He links well with wide players, drifts into smart positions, and has the kind of creativity on the ball that can surprise defences.
In many ways, he ticks boxes that clubs like Liverpool often look for: Premier League experience, proven goalscoring ability and tactical intelligence. Mateta has been linked to other top clubs too, including Arsenal and Manchester United, which underlines his reputation. Slot’s system, which values forwards who can connect play, might seem on paper like a good fit for someone like him.
But being good and being Liverpool good are two very different things.
Liverpool's Need for Elite Quality
Liverpool aren’t just shopping for “good” players. They are looking for players who can take them deeper into Europe, who can maintain the elite edge that Klopp built and Slot has now sharpened. In that context, Mateta feels more like an opportunistic signing than a deliberate masterstroke.
Let’s be honest: when compared to the dream target, Alexander Isak, Mateta’s profile just does not hold up. Isak is younger, more dynamic, and has already shown himself to be one of Europe’s most exciting strikers. The problem, of course, is that prising him away from Newcastle United this summer seems almost impossible, even as Newcastle prepare to bring in Hugo Ekitike for £70 million. Another name who would have been intriguing, Joao Pedro, has already gone to Chelsea for £60 million.
What’s left for Liverpool in this window feels slightly underwhelming.
Waiting or Adapting: Liverpool's Other Options
With Darwin Nunez likely heading out and top-tier forwards snapped up elsewhere, Liverpool face a decision. Do they move for a stop-gap like Mateta, or do they adapt tactically?
Slot has already shown flexibility, and one route would be to lean into a false-nine approach, similar to what we saw with Luis Diaz at times last season. This is not a new path for Liverpool. In fact, under Klopp, Liverpool regularly thrived without a classic No. 9, relying on rotation, movement, and chaos in the final third. That kind of system could buy Liverpool time, setting up a blockbuster striker move next summer when players like Isak may become a more viable option.
Throwing £60 million at Mateta now, especially when age and resale value are considered, feels short-sighted. At 28, Mateta isn’t an investment for the future. His profile is attractive, the price and age combination makes this move unlikely. Liverpool’s recruitment under Michael Edwards and now Richard Hughes has been laser-focused, rarely spending big on players without long-term upside. Mateta would break that pattern.
Mateta, the Wildcard We Shouldn’t Play
There is no doubt Jean-Philippe Mateta is a solid forward and one of Crystal Palace’s standout performers. He offers charisma, flair, and Premier League pedigree. Yet, for Liverpool, I struggle to see this one happening. For a team looking to dominate under Arne Slot, a team fresh off a Premier League title and poised for a European push, a striker like Mateta feels like settling.
If anything, the smarter play might be to wait. Go all-in next summer for a truly elite forward. Throw an eye-watering bid at Newcastle now for Isak or wait and hope that patience could pay off. In the meantime, Slot has enough tactical tools to get creative with his frontline, leaning into false-nine solutions or rotating wide players centrally.
Mateta might end up at Anfield, and he could even surprise some with his contribution. But I’d be very surprised if he became the focal point of Liverpool’s next great team. For now, Liverpool should aim higher.