The 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off in less than a month, but there is no doubt that Liverpool’s team is weaker than last year.
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers, while Hugo Ekitike ruptured his Achilles tendon in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in April and faces another few months of recovery.
This is where fans’ concerns are felt most acutely. Victor Muñoz arrived from Osasuna for £35.5 million, but the flashy 23-year-old winger is unlikely to play a talismanic role for Andoni Iraola’s side next year.
Needless to say, more is needed.
Why Liverpool still needs multiple attacking additions
Some Liverpool supporters have legitimate concerns about the team’s lack of progress in the transfer market.
Although the signing of Muñoz has been completed and efforts continue to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Bradley Barcola, FSG are yet to replace Salah on the right wing.
Federico Chiesa is currently the leading player on Liverpool’s right flank. He has little competition for the starting spot. Perhaps Harvey Elliott could be considered in that slot. This probably highlights the importance of making another deal soon.
Magnes Akrios is the favorite to replace Salah, with Liverpool making initial contact this week with Monaco, who are looking to take on Paris Saint-Germain for the French midfielder.
Akurios is a talented attacker, silky and creative with the ball. He will be very different from Salah and will serve as the main performer rather than starring in the center stage.
That’s fine, especially since Liverpool’s focal goal threat should be reset at number nine, with Alexander Isak keen to return to world-class scoring form.
But even so, Liverpool could do even better and sign one of the most sought-after attackers on the market.
Liverpool enter war to sign superstar forward
Liverpool are working on this issue, but they need to speed up. Barcola is the top target, but the right side is not his favorite zone, so there is a reasonable question whether he will actually be the perfect Akuriosh.
If the Reds change direction, they could look at one of the most exciting names on the market.
According to Germany’s Bild newspaper, there are still five lengths left in the race to sign RB Leipzig star Yann Diomande, and a “bidding war” seems more likely than ever, but Liverpool are not giving up as PSG continue to stall.
Liverpool were knocked back last month when the Ivorian winger, 19, told the club his dream destination was PSG. There was a feeling on Merseyside that they were being used to take advantage of a move to France. However, PSG have not made any progress so far and appear reluctant to meet Leipzig’s €120 million (approximately 12 billion yen) request.
One of the biggest breakout stars in football right now, Diomande went on to represent his country at the World Cup after an exceptional spell in Germany with Leipzig.
He is a formidable goalscorer and a skilled playmaker. His speed and intensity as a duelist make him one of the most threatening attackers in the world, and although he is more expensive than players like Akuriosh, Liverpool will undoubtedly get a high return by completing the deal.
Five years younger, Diomand is already hitting a higher beat than his French positional rival. There are reasons why his financial value far exceeds that of Akurios, and there are certainly reasons why Liverpool would pursue him over other targets this summer if given the chance.
League form (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Diomand | Akryosh |
Match (start) | 33(28) | 31(28) |
the goal | 12 | 6 |
assist | 8 | 6 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 1.6 (0.8) | 1.5(0.6) |
missed a big opportunity | 6 | 6 |
Exact path* | 27.2 (84%) | 30.4 (85%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 17 | 8 |
Key pass* | 1.7 | 1.4 |
It was successful. dribble* | 3.6 | 0.8 |
Ball recovery rate* | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Def. Donation* | 1.7 | 2.3 |
Win a duel* | 5.6 | 3.4 |
Diomande has stepped up his game more and there is no doubt about it. Manager Jurgen Klopp hailed the teenager as “one of the best wingers in the world” while finishing his World Cup commentary, suggesting he is “unstoppable in one-on-one situations”.
He has the rare ability to seize one golden chance every game, as the best forwards always do. The same was true for Salah, who would often be frustrated for 40, 50 and 60 minutes until he found an opening and scored a goal.
Akurioche has a lot in his locker, but he doesn’t have many goals or assists. His wing play is a different take and would work well for Liverpool, but Diomande would be much better.
The Ivorian sensation may cost a lot of money, but if PSG continue to falter, they could end up doing far worse this summer than sporting director Richard Hughes bowing to bringing one of the few generational talents currently at the top of his Iraola project.
