The difference between Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in the two Champions League games this season was chalk and cheese. Major surgery is needed because this team is not a team capable of winning the highest prize in football.
Although these are two title-winning teams, the differences could not be more stark and Arne Slott knows Liverpool won’t be winning silver this season and are instead focused on jumping on the Champions League train into the new season.
It’s been a disastrous year for the Premier League champions, but there’s no mistaking that. But when it rained, it poured, and Hugo Ekitike’s ruptured Achilles tendon in the game against PSG sadly played a role.
Liverpool’s top scorer (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
player | app | the goal |
Hugo Ekitike | 45 | 17 |
Dominik Szoboszlai | 47 | 12 |
mohamed salah | 37 | 11 |
cody steele | 46 | 8 |
Florian Wirtz | 44 | 6 |
Ekitike, 23, has been one of Liverpool’s star players this season, finishing as their top scorer with 17 goals. He joined from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer, but his season was brutally cut short. Not only will he miss the North American World Cup, he will also face a tough battle to recover by the end of the year.
How Ekitike’s injury could change Liverpool’s transfer plans
Last year, Liverpool spent big on the front, touting a years-long rebuild that should not be repeated if they are to be successful for years to come.
That didn’t happen. Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have both struggled throughout their first spells at Anfield, while 33-year-old Mohamed Salah is set to leave this summer after his own miserable campaign.
Kodi Gakpo’s departure has been discussed, but with Ekitike expected to be out for a long period of time, the Dutch player cannot afford to leave due to his poor performance. This has changed Liverpool’s transfer plans, but there is still a chance they could move towards upgrading Gakpo.
A number of targets have been identified, but all eyes could be on Merseyside rival Iliman Ndiaye, who has been Everton’s talisman since joining in 2024.
Ndiaye, 26, is one of the most dangerous and versatile attackers in the Premier League and, according to TEAMtalk, he is firmly on FSG’s shortlist as they accelerate plans to sign a new winger.
Worth £75m, Ndiaye is an instant Premier League star and could be the answer to one of the biggest attacking problems threatening Liverpool’s resurgence next year.
Why Iliman Ndiay could become Liverpool’s new Luis Dias
Liverpool will be without Luis Diaz. Hindsight is a funny old story, but even when the Colombian was sold to Bayern Munich for £65m, some wondered whether FSG had sold the left-wing slot short.
He was a huge asset to Vincent Kompany’s team, direct and deadly, yet elegant and effortless as he raced down the channels. Liverpool won’t take him back, but in Ndiaye’s case they could sign a new version.
Described by pundit Jamie O’Hara as “one of the best players in the Premier League”, N’Diai has scored 17 goals and provided four assists in almost two years with the Blues, but his influence goes far beyond mere goalscoring numbers.
Ndiai’s games have a combat quality that most players cannot achieve. Dias is comparable to him in that respect, but Ndiaye has the fundamental potential to become an even better Premier League player.
Premier League Comparison – Dias vs Ndiay | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Diaz (24/25) | Let’s go (25/26) |
Match (start) | 36(28) | 26(26) |
the goal | 13 | 6 |
assist | 5 | 3 |
touch* | 36.5 | 50.5 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 2.0 (0.8) | 1.2 (0.7) |
Exact path* | 19.8 (86%) | 25.5 (84%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 8 | 6 |
Key pass* | 1.6 | 1.0 |
dribble* | 1.5 (51%) | 2.1 (53%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.9 | 5.9 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.3 | 2.8 |
Duel (win)* | 3.8 (40%) | 6.0 (46%) |
Ndiaye’s results in the Premier League may not have been as impressive as Dias’ in his final spell on Merseyside, but he played in an Everton side that had to work hard to find an active attacking play under manager David Moyes, and was praised by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd as “having magic”. He is also as belligerent as they come, as well as a diligent and efficient worker.
It’s also worth noting that Ndiaye is a clinical finisher. He may not have scored that many goals, but the 26-year-old knows how to find the top corner and his arrival could negate one of Liverpool’s biggest problems in that regard.
Ndiaye is not a versatile striker, but with Isaac returning to full fitness, this could be the perfect way to counter Ekitike’s injury while increasing Liverpool’s attacking range and dynamism.
Whether Liverpool can actually persuade their arch-rivals to hand over their star player is another question. Every transaction comes with a premium. But the Reds are eyeing Ndiaye, a winger who has the potential to emulate and possibly even surpass Dias at Anfield.
Liverpool accelerate bid to sign dream Ekitike replacement for £75m
Liverpool are looking to sign a new attacker following Hugo Ekitike’s injury.
