Most of the transfer speculation around Liverpool is focused on the defence, but a golden opportunity has arisen to make a bargain forward signing and give Mohamed Salah a well-needed jolt in the process.
Arne Slot has to get creative in finding solutions for Liverpool’s problems.
Yes, defensive additions are desperately needed, but over the course of Liverpool’s recent unbeaten run, their struggles came at the other end of the pitch.
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The hope was that Salah would continue his AFCON form upon returning, but so far, it has been more like the form that saw him dropped before Christmas.
What did you think of Salah’s return to the starting XI?
It was his first start since November 26th 😱
Mohamed Salah puts his hand on his head after missing a chance during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Marseille at Stade Velodrome (Getty Images/Justin Setterfield).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
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In steps a player edging ever closer to a return to Europe, and Liverpool could shake things up with a bid of their own.
Liverpool should hijack Inter Milan’s move for Moussa Diaby
After just one rather impressive season with Aston Villa in the Premier League, Moussa Diaby departed for Saudi Arabia where he is currently in the midst of his second season playing for Al Ittihad.
According to Fabrizio Romano (via X), Diaby wants a return to Europe, already having said yes to Inter Milan. The deal being discussed is a loan with a £30 million buy option at the end of the season.
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That’s a bargain for a player like Diaby. Villa sold the French winger for £50 million 18 months ago.
While Inter are in the lead, there is time to make an approach and find out if he would rather a return to England.
mOUSSA dIABY FOR aSTON vILLA
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
You might remember watching Diaby tear up the Premier League in his debut season, involved in 14 goals in 25 starts under Unai Emery.
Last campaign, he managed another 19 in the Saudi League, and before his arrival in England, it was 17, 25, and 15 in consecutive Bundesliga seasons.
At 26, he still has plenty to give, and can play on both flanks for Slot, or even centrally behind a striker. He’s a quality player and someone who would be perfect for an Anfield crowd.
Moussa Diaby could spur on Mohamed Salah, or…
Salah has reverted to his pre-AFCON levels, and looks unmotivated in a Liverpool shirt.
Bringing in Diaby could give him a jolt and extract some better performances. It could also go the other way, and the new arrival could simply take Salah’s spot in the side.
Who would be the best Mohamed Salah replacement? 🤔
Jamie Carragher looks on ahead of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield
Credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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If that happens and Liverpool want to keep him, there could be scope for agreeing a deal with Al Ittihad that would send the Egyptian the other way.
The one stumbling block for Inter is that the Saudi side aren’t sure about letting their star attacker go, but they might be more inclined to if that possibility is on the table.
As painful as it is to admit, Salah might leave Liverpool this summer. There are worse arrangements than the one I’ve just put forth.
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