Liverpool could soon have the next generation's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in their ranks - opinion
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Liverpool have arguably never quite been able to move their attack on from the glory days of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.Between them, the three players formed an iconic trio who conquered England, Europe and the world under Jurgen Klopp.Each with their own roles within the Liverpool set-up, Salah, Mane and Firmino developed an almost telepathic ability between them.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. While many Liverpool fans will tell you that Firmino was actually the glue that held the attack together, it was always clear that Mane and especially Salah were tasked with a greater goal-scoring burden.Since Mane’s departure in 2022, the Reds have not been able to find a similarly prolific winger.
However, after Rousing The Kop revealed that Liverpool are pondering a move for Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, that could be about to change.Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesYan Diomande can replace Mohamed Salah at LiverpoolThough Liverpool do still regularly play with an attacking three, the make-up of their forward line has changed quite dramatically.Where Klopp prioritised speedy wingers who could cut inside and score, Arne Slot looks to be bringing back the classic number nine at Liverpool, with Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak expected to be focal points moving forward.READ MORE: Despite that, a potential move for Diomande would suggest that this may change again in the future. The Ivorian is only 19, and if Liverpool are able to snap him up now, they can mould him into a potential successor for Salah.Diomande has featured on both the left and the right during his time with Leipzig so far, scoring four goals in only 11 appearances.
Who has been Liverpool’s best summer signing? It may be a small sample size, but the signs are there that Diomande can be exactly that.Rio Ngumoha could wreak havoc on Liverpool leftWhile succeeding Salah at Liverpool will be a very difficult task indeed, replacing Mane on the left has been no cakewalk either.Luis Diaz looked like the answer for a while, but the Colombian could never replicate the scoring ability of his Senegalese predecessor.NameAgeAll-time AppearancesGoalsAssistsYan Diomande192163Rio Ngumoha 17810Cody Gakpo is similarly lukewarm, leaving a potential spot open for young Rio Ngumoha to make the position his own in the coming years.Liverpool did not want to block Ngumoha’s pathway this summer, and refused to move for the likes of Bradley Barcola in the hope of giving him considerable game time.In his seven appearances so far this season, Ngumoha has shown that he is very much a long-term option in the Liverpool starting XI.