Liverpool made an approach for Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche during the summer transfer window
Maghnes Akliouche of France
Maghnes Akliouche has been linked with a move to Liverpool as the club assess wide targets(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino has already provided insight on what the club could expect from Maghnes Akliouche. The pair have been teammates at Monaco since 2022.
The Reds made an initial approach for Akliouche as the club continues to search for wingers this summer. Liverpool contacted Monao to check on Akliouche’s availability earlier in the transfer window, with wide targets becoming a priority following Mohamed Salah’s exit.
The 24-year-old scored seven goals and provided 11 assists for the Ligue 1 side last season. He has since emerged as a target for Paris Saint-Germain, who have reportedly had three offers for Akliouche rejected.
It remains to be seen whether the France international will sign for Liverpool and join summer arrival Victor Munoz in revamping the club’s wide options. However, ex-Liverpool star Minamino has previously given Akliouche his seal of approval.
“When I arrived at the club, I noticed him straight away, he was the best young player in the team,” Minamino told Monaco’s club website in December 2024. “He has huge potential and he showed it last year against several teams.
“He is always humble, he is a good player but also a good person above all. I am sure he will have a good future so I am happy to be able to play with him.”
Minamino was a rotational option throughout his time at Liverpool but played alongside several iconic forwards for the Reds. Shortly after Minamino signed for Monaco in 2022, Jurgen Klopp praised what the Japan international, who made 55 Liverpool appearances and won the 2020 Premier League title, had brought to the club.
"We miss him honestly. He is a fantastic player and he was a fantastic part of our squad," Klopp said. "We should not forget, as an offensive player coming to Liverpool in a time when the settled front three were Mane, Firmino, Salah; the new signing was Diogo Jota -- it's not like you have to be a bad player to not be in the first lineup.
"No, you have to be a world-class player to be around [the starting XI] and to be the next coming on, so Taki [Minamino] did that incredibly well for us."
Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche playing for Monaco
Takumi Minamino and Akliouche have been Monaco teammates since 2022(Image: Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
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Andoni Iraola will hope to build a similarly potent attack during his time as Liverpool manager. However, the new boss has been honest about needing to add more wingers to his squad after the earlier signing of Munoz from Osasuna.
"No, I think it is difficult to say a number when the market is open," Iraola said. "You have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players.
"A winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have.”
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