With Mohamed Salah still unreplaceable and Andoni Iraola’s backline looking pretty poor, it feels like Liverpool have a huge problem to solve heading into the new Premier League season.
With Virgil van Dijk still on holiday following his World Cup appearance, it became painfully clear at the start of pre-season that Iraola lacked the defensive quality required, and it was made worse by Joe Gomez’s injury in the 4-2 win over Sunderland at the weekend.
But all the noise around central defense has been drowned out by the desire and need for a new elite forward to replace Salah, who left Anfield once and for all when his contract expired at the end of June.
Yann Diomande and Bradley Barcola have been identified as top targets to replace the Egyptian this summer, but the former is bound for Real Madrid and Barcola’s £145m price tag could be prohibitive.
The big problems facing Liverpool’s front line
Salah’s slump last season was a major reason for Liverpool’s slump under Arne Slott. In a whirlwind first year that saw the departure of Jurgen Klopp, Slott’s Liverpool shone and danced their way to the Premier League title, and Salah was the architect, miles ahead of the competition.
Mohamed Salah’s Premier League career with Liverpool | ||
|---|---|---|
Season (*PL title) | app | Goal + Assist |
25/26 | 27 | 7+7 |
24/25* | 38 | 29+18 |
23/24 | 32 | 18+10 |
22/23 | 38 | 19 + 12 |
21/22 | 35 | 23+13 |
20/21 | 37 | 22+5 |
19/20* | 34 | 19+10 |
18/19 | 38 | 22+8 |
17/18 | 36 | 32 + 11 |
But the 34-year-old lost something last year, with Liverpool unable to step up and contribute further as their long-time talisman slumped. Victor Munoz has already signed for £34.5m this summer, but the former Osasuna winger is young and still learning his craft. More is needed.
With Hugo Ekitike out until midway through the season, Liverpool need more strength in attack. Alexander Isak should step up after a tough first term on Merseyside, but Liverpool are paper thin on the right wing.
Diomande, 19, would have been perfect, but the RB Leipzig winger opted for Paris Saint-Germain over the Reds and now appears to have changed his mind again, with Real Madrid closing in on his signature.
FSG are aware of this and are currently keeping an eye on fugitive PSG winger Diomand, but even if he refuses to extend his contract, the French giants are in no hurry to sell him.
Barcola, 23, is one of the world’s most exciting wingers and has been hailed by Anfield Index’s Dave Hendrick as the “closest thing to Salah” on the market, but he is not yet a top-flight player and his UK record transfer fee would be prohibitive.
But Liverpool are ready to spend big this summer. They have to, and with the money, FSG might want to look at another up-and-coming superstar.
Liverpool considering hybrid deal for Barcola and Diomande
Barcola would be a great addition to Iraola’s Liverpool side, but he is not a natural right winger and could cost a lot of money to sign. Liverpool may be inclined to steer in a different direction.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has revealed that he is considering a move for winger Ryan, who joined Bournemouth for £25m from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama in January.
Rayan, 19, has emerged as quite the prospect and those on the south coast know it, as his contract includes a whopping £130m release clause. That clearly hasn’t worked out, so FSG will be hoping Hughes’ connection with Iraola’s vitality can clear some of the heavy lifting in the coming weeks.
Diomand is off the card. A two-sided winger, he plays a lot of his football on the right flank and would have been a perfect fit for Iraola’s Liverpool system in that regard. However, Liverpool have moved on and signing Barcola is now at the top of the list.
But we shouldn’t jump. If PSG fail to live up to their £145m price tag, it’s a no-brainer. Barcola will not play for Liverpool next year.
Similarly, the Reds are unlikely to offer a record-breaking sum for Rayane, but Bournemouth could lower their demands if Rayane makes a bit of noise. Since signing for the Cherries, he has scored five goals and provided two assists in 15 games, but his quality of play has been exceptional.
What a talent! Although Ryan hasn’t played in Europe for that long, he has undoubtedly developed into the skin of an elite prospect in his short time on England’s shores.
For what it’s worth, Ryan arguably outplayed Barcola at the World Cup, showing immense potential on the ball and when creating for his teammates. He was one of Brazil’s brightest sparks.
Form at 2026 World Cup | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | ryan | Stagger |
App (launch) | 4(3) | 8(4) |
the goal | 0 | 3 |
assist | 1 | 1 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 1.3(0.5) | 1.3 (0.6) |
Exact path* | 22.5 (93%) | 13.5 (86%) |
Opportunities created* | 2.5 | 1.0 |
Successful. dribble* | 1.5 (86%) | 1.6 (59%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.0 | 1.6 |
Def. Donation* | 2.1 | 1.1 |
Win a duel* | 4.8 (59%) | 3.1 (50%) |
Could Liverpool sign both Barcola and Rayan this summer? Probably not. Of course, there is a chance with Isaac and Ekitike both joining last summer, but given the reinforcements needed elsewhere, it may be difficult to realize.
If you have to choose one of the two, Rayan might be a better choice. Admittedly, his stock is not particularly high, but he has emerged as an irresistible right-winger and is already considered ‘world class’ by his Bournemouth team-mates, including James Tavanier.
Ryan is one of the most talented young attackers in the game. He has Premier League experience and, unlike Barcola, naturally plays on the right wing.
Although the data pool may be shallow, he has impressed for club and country over the past six months and may have the necessary qualities to replace Salah under Iraola.
