If Liverpool are in a dogfight for Champions League qualification, they are a Chihuahua among Rottweilers.
That's how it feels right now, with Arne Slot's side utterly abject in their 2-1 defeat at bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday evening, pegging the Reds back just as they had started to build steam.
It's clear that Slot needs to fix this mess. Missing out on Europe's elite table would be disastrous. Whether the Reds have the belief to do so remains to be seen, but they have the quality, which makes this interminable struggle all the more frustrating.
Liverpool players look dejected-2
However, the Anfield squad are certainly not well-balanced, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah both flattering to deceive down the wings.
This is something that needs a fix come summer.
Liverpool prepare to sign new wingers
Salah, 33, has been poor this season, and while he's still popping up with the odd goal and a steady stream of assists, his place on the right flank is arguably a net negative at the moment.
More egregious is Gakpo's form. The Dutchman is 26 years old, and is among Slot's most trusted lieutenants. He was immense last season but has been reduced to a lesser version this year, sussed out by opponents.
While Rio Ngumoha is undoubtedly a special talent, he is young, 17, and not ready for a starting role each week. With this in mind, Liverpool must strengthen.
Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha
According to Sky Germany, Liverpool have abandoned (for now) their interest in Bayern Munich's Michael Olise, who will not be leaving the Allianz Arena under any circumstances this summer.
Instead, the Reds have launched a bid for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, whose form this season has caught the eye of many suitors.
Yan Diomande for RB Leipzig
Diomande, 19, is emerging as a superstar, a two-footed and direct winger who prefers the right side. In this, he could be the perfect Salah upgrade, but it would cost FSG something to the tune of £87m.
Why Diomande would be a Salah upgrade
In short, Salah is getting old, and opponents are nullifying his potency in front of goal too easily. Diomande is on the other end of the spectrum, young and flashy and fiery.
Salah last 3 seasons at Liverpool
Having joined the Germans from Leganes last summer, the Ivory Coast international has scored ten goals and supplied seven assists across all competitions, and in the Bundesliga, he's been among the division's standouts.
Hailed as a "generational talent" by journalist Bence Bocsak, Diomande has the application to match the ability, playing with a level of consistency that suggests he would thrive in the Premier League.
When considering how Salah is faring in contrast to the Ivorian, the difference is night and day. Not only has the Liverpool legend's output decreased, but his physical and athletic numbers are in the gutter.
A lack of energy and incisiveness down the flanks has played a significant role in Liverpool's deterioration.
League Form Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Shots (on target)*
Big chances missed
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels won*
It is not just Salah's typical output that Liverpool are missing, but his energy and presence too. These things are not there, and Slot's system is suffering for it.
Gakpo's own struggles only exacerbate the situation, but Slot has praised Ngumoha's physical gains in recent weeks, and his playing time will not diminish after the summer, even if the Merseysiders keep the faith in their under-fire head coach.
In over four months, Gakpo has only scored once in the Premier League. It came last time out, against West Ham United, and it took a wicked deflection at that.
The drama of the current campaign must not be repeated. Liverpool cannot afford to languish below the standards that Jurgen Klopp so expertly set over many years of toil. Liverpool need a new winger, and Diomande might just be the best option available to them.
cody-gakpo-liverpool-1
Should Liverpool sign Diomande, Gakpo would surely pale in comparison. Liverpool would then need to sign another winger, but that's another story.
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