'Honestly': Centre-back talent hints that he'd like to join Liverpool and play with 'incredible' Hugo Ekitike

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Liverpool are on the lookout for a new centre-back or two to join them over the coming 12 months.The Reds have a little problem developing in the backline, with Giovanni Leoni’s long-term knee injury throwing Arne Slot an early-season curveball.Liverpool had signed Leoni to act as fourth-choice centre-back this season and to slowly clamber his way up the pecking order.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Having also seen a move for Marc Guehi fall through at the last possible moment this summer, the Reds are now looking light in defence.As Rousing The Kop have exclusively revealed, Liverpool could sign two centre-backs in 2026, with one more established player and one younger, project signing likely to arrive.Midtjylland’s Ousmane Diao is likely to be a name Liverpool’s scouts have come across during their search.

If not, the 21-year-old has now put himself on the radar with some interesting comments about Reds forward Hugo Ekitike.Photo by Diogo Baptista/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesOusmane Diao hails ‘incredible’ Hugo EkitikeMidtjylland have been an excellent club for emerging African talents to make their first steps in Europe over recent years, and Diao is another of those to benefit from this.The Senegalese talent actually joined the Danes from Portuguese second division team CD Mafra in 2024, and has quickly become a key player.READ MORE: Liverpool will make an offer for Nico Schlotterbeck soon amid recent Arne Slot interestDiao has scored two Europa League goals already this season, despite being a centre-back, and is emerging as a young defender to keep an eye on.And, as it turns out, he is a big fan of Liverpool’s No. Asked by French outlet Footmercato to name the toughest opponent of his career so far, Diao picked Ekitike and also revealed a wish to play alongside the Frenchman.“Last year, against Frankfurt, there were a lot of good players like Ekitike, Marmoush, etc,” he said.

His movement is incredible. He’s fast, technical… he’s very strong!”Diao is one to keep a watch over for LiverpoolCentre-back is the obvious problem area for Liverpool ahead of the 2026 markets opening, and it is well worth for fans to keep an eye on any emerging young talents in this area.No one would have heard of Leoni at this point last year, for example, the Italian had yet to even make his first team debut for Parma.A CB libero we will definetly talk about soon again… – 🇸🇳Ousmane Diao (21y)FC MidtjyllandFoot: Right➥ excellent body usage in duels➥ Fast & explosive➥ Can play RB➥ Elegant ball-carrier➥ Aerially dominant➥ good offensive qualities for a CBMark my words…☝ pic.twitter.com/d8f3E2VSFR— 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 ❄️ (@FBallerscout) September 25, 2025 View Tweet Meanwhile, Diao very much has played for Midtjylland, having already racked up his 50th appearance.The Senegalese has Champions League experience already, and having scored nine goals in those 50 matches, he looks to be something of a goal-threat as well.It may be a long-shot for Diao to see his dream of becoming Ekitike’s teammate come true, but he is certainly a player Liverpool fans should now get themselves familiar with.