Andoni Iraola is expecting more goalscoring prowess from Liverpool next season and will add some attacking talent this summer
Andoni Iraola.
Andoni Iraola is aiming for a four-man attack at Liverpool(Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola is planning to deploy a rotating four-man attack at Liverpool next season to avoid overworking players. The Reds are keen to make sure they do not rely on certain players under Iraola.
According to The Athletic, Iraola's main objective is to have four wide players of the highest quality so he can share the burden among several attackers. A lack of pace and goalscoring threat on the wings cost Liverpool last campaign and the plan is to rectify that issue.
There have been rumours regarding approaches for Cody Gakpo, but no confirmed bids have been reported. His contribution next season, following the addition of Victor Munoz, will offer the Reds more of a threat on the wings.
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On the other side, Rio Ngumoha had a successful breakthrough season under Arne Slot last campaign. The teenager will forever remember his Premier League debut when he scored a dramatic late winner against Newcastle aged just 16 years and 361 days early last season.
No other player aged 17 and under played more first-team minutes for their club last season, with Ngumoha clocking up 952 in all competitions. For comparison, Arsenal's wonderkid Max Dowman was next on the list with 477 minutes, followed by Brighton's Harry Howell with 260.
Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo
Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo could be key for the Reds next season(Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
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It was reported earlier this month that Bayern Munich were interested in signing the youngster but Liverpool made it clear he was not for sale. Sky Sport Germany had claimed there had been productive talks between Bayern boss Vincent Kompany and Ngumoha's agents, but the Reds immediately squashed the claim.
Now, Liverpool are keen to tie Ngumoha down on a long-term contract when he turns 18 in August, with the idea of him having an even bigger role in the squad next season under Iraola.
The teenager won't have to do it all alone, though, as the Reds continue their heavy pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old has been lighting it up with the Ivory Coast at the World Cup and has long been a target for the Anfield hierarchy.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande could become Liverpool's next summer signing(Image: Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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The Reds have offered a tentative £86m to Leipzig, but the Bundesliga side are only willing to sanction his sale for around £112m. Given that the German outfit paid just £17m for the right-winger last summer, his trajectory is only expected to increase dramatically in the future.
Liverpool face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Diomande's signature, but there is a chance the clubs could meet in the middle on a fee of around £100m. Should the deal between the Reds and Leipzig go through, Iraola will have gained the four-man attack he desires to take on the Premier League next season.
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