Richard Hughes hit with forward's new contract demand

Liverpool’s striking options heading into the summer transfer window are worryingly thin.

Hugo Ekitike was signed from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer for a £69m fee and initially hit the ground running with 17 goals across his debut campaign.

But an achilles injury threatens to rule the 23-year-old out until 2027 - leaving Alexander Isak as the only senior option. The 26-year-old Swede joined the Reds for £125m last summer but it’s fair to say he’s had a debut season from hell.

Isak has only scored four times in Liverpool colours - and has been in and out of the team due to various injury issues including a broken leg.

Relying on the No9 as the only choice for the season ahead would be a risk and likely require another player such as Cody Gakpo to take on some striking duties.

And if money is not going to be spent on a new striker it will be imperative to promote a player from within.

Keyrol Figueroa could be backup to Isak

In the shape of Keyrol Figueroa Andoni Iraola may well have the ideal candidate. The 19-year-old was in sensational goalscoring form for the Liverpool under-21s last season and even earned himself a place on the bench for Arne Slot’s first team.

The only problem was that the Honduras international had a contract which was expiring at the end of the season. Liverpool were reported to have made an offer to the striker back in January - with a view to going on loan - but it was knocked back.

Having signed for Federico Pastorello’s highly influential P&P Sport Management agency the club must have feared the worst. Teams in MLS as well as Porto and PSV were all thought to be keen on signing Figueroa on a free.

But the Anfield side were thrown a lifeline last week with the confirmation that a new deal had been offered to Keyrol.

'Play me or loan me' says Keyrol Figueroa

Now comes an update from El Heraldo - which sets out Figueroa’s demands for inking a new deal.

“After making his debut for the Honduras national team, Liverpool have submitted a contract renewal offer,” the report reads.

“However, one of the forward’s conditions is to make his debut with the first team; otherwise, he wants to be sent out on loan.”

So the demand would appear to be that Figueroa wants to be included in the first-team plans for the season ahead as cover and competition for Isak and eventually Ekitike.

With these demands he’s made it clear he no longer wishes to be considered a youth and academy player - having graduated to the senior international level.

Otherwise Liverpool will have to consider a loan deal for Figueroa - who is one of the youth academy products showing remarkable promise - and end up spending money on a backup striker this summer instead.

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