Jamie Carragher has drawn comparisons between Liverpool transfer target Yan Diomande and a former Anfield attacking duo as Reds continue monitoring the Ivory Coast winger
18:41, 25 Jun 2026
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast) looks on during Group E FIFA World Cup 2026, Germany v Cote D'Ivoire, Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada on June 20 2026. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool is in pursuit of Yan Diomande this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher believes Yan Diomande possesses similar traits to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane amid growing links with Liverpool.
Diomande has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to potentially replace Salah, whose nine-year spell at Anfield is set to officially end next week. The 19-year-old only joined RB Leipzig last summer but enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Bundesliga, attracting interest from several top European clubs.
The two clubs most strongly linked with a move for Diomande are Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Liverpool is reportedly prepared to pay $113 million (€100 million) plus $23 million (€20 million) in add-ons to secure the signing of the highly rated winger.
"I thought he was fantastic in the first game of the World Cup. Less so in the second game, but still was a real danger," Carragher said. on Sky Sports. "I think what you'd be buying is potential. It's not what he is right now. He's a 19-year-old kid. He's a young man.
"But when you look at him physically, he looks like he's got all those attributes. You think of the success Liverpool have had in the past with powerful, quick, wide men. You think of [Mohamed] Salah and Sadio Mane, especially those two.
"He certainly looks like he's got those type of traits. That's a big thing that Liverpool lacked last season, pace in those wide areas. They've already got a signing in now from Spain, from Osasuna, Victor Munoz.
"Maybe they want a little bit of pace on the other side as well. I think it's pretty obvious where Liverpool were lacking last season. That looks like where they're going in the market. But is he worth it? Time will tell. As I said, Liverpool spent big last summer. Right now, a year on, we probably would say those players don't look worth it."
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane of Liverpool line up ahead of the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid
Carragher has compared Yan Diomande to Salah and Mane(Image: Getty Images)
Diomande registered 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for RB Leipzig this season after joining the Bundesliga side from Leganes last summer.
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Although Leipzig are understood to prefer waiting until after the World Cup in hopes of increasing his market value, Bild reports that Roc Nation—the agency representing Diomande—is pressuring the German club to accept Liverpool’s proposal. Liverpool are believed to be leading the race for his signature.
Interestingly, Diomande has previously revealed that his father is a Liverpool supporter. "I want to play at Anfield, I want to play for Liverpool," Diomande said earlier this year. "I’m a big fan of Liverpool. I’m a big fan of Liverpool because my father’s dream is to see me play at Anfield. So that’s my dream. You know, to fulfil my father’s dream is a dream for me too.”
While he later softened comments about his personal desire to play for Anfield, he maintained that it was his father’s dream for him to represent the club.