ibrahim-mbaye-senegal
For Andoni Iraola and FSG, there may be trouble in paradise from the start, should Liverpool fail to make further summer signings at the start of this new chapter.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League last season. They saved a seat in the Champions League. Arne Slot did not save himself from the axe.
The fact that teenage winger Rio Ngumoha emerged as Liverpool's shining light over the latter half of the season spoke solemnly on the severity of the Reds' collapse. Slot's kingdom collapsed like a house of cards, and his hesitance to unleash the youngster only fanned the many flames.
||
Arne Slot's Premier League Record with Liverpool
24/25
38
25
9
4
86:41
84
2.21
FSG are aware that the 17-year-old will need some support in attack this year. Victor Munoz has been signed from Osasuna for £35.5m, and an ambitious move to sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Bradley Barcola is ongoing.
But neither of those deals solve Liverpool's glaring gap out on the right. In that, 18-year-old attacker Ibrahim Mbaye is quickly emerging as a potential solution.
Why Liverpool believe Mbaye is ready for the Premier League
In an ideal world, Liverpool may have opted to sign a version of Mbaye with a bit more experience, a bit more mileage on the metre. But Liverpool do not live in an ideal world, and there is no time to waste in supporting Iraola at the start of his journey.
And anyway, Mbaye has built up some experience at the highest level with PSG, starting ten times in Ligue 1 last season, scoring three times and supplying two assists, while earning one start in the Champions League. He showcased his skilful dribbling there, completing 60% of his take-ons.
A two-sided winger who has thus far featured predominantly on the right, Mbaye is essentially helping fill a hole left when Mohamed Salah broke away from his Reds contract at the end of June. So, no pressure then.
Federico Chiesa looks like he's sticking around, though, and Mbaye starred for Senegal at the World Cup, bagging against France and deepening his case that he is stretching toward superstardom.
Liverpool's interest in the teenager has gone beyond the exploratory stage, but this deal certainly isn't done. FSG hope to add both Mbaye and Barcola to the ranks, thereby reviving Iraola's frontline ahead of the crucial campaign ahead.
Ibrahim-Mbaye-PSG-Senegal
Mbaye is ready, but Liverpool may actually already have a bigger attacking talent headed for Anfield. This top prospect isn't slated to touch down on Merseyside until 2027, though.
Liverpool have already signed a bigger talent than Mbaye
It feels like Liverpool have lost their Midas touch in the transfer market over the past several years, but FSG's prudent approach to adding up-and-coming quality to the ranks has only been accelerated in recent years.
In 2025, Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Sidy Barhama Ndiaye from Diambars FC in his Senegalese homeland, but FIFA rules prevent the 16-year-old from completing his proposed transfer to Anfield before his 18th birthday. Thus, he won't arrive until next year.
REUTERS/Phil Noble
A flashy right-sided winger, Ndiaye is "regarded as one of the best prospects in Africa", according to journalist Bence Bocsak, and the Senegal U17 international has already showcased his potential for LFC.
Indeed, he excelled during a friendly against Fleetwood Town last year, playing down the left and displaying frightening pace and directness. There's something Ngumoha-esque about him, and he may well join and even eclipse the England international and Mbaye in the future.
Rio-Ngumoha-England
Let's not forget that Mbaye was on the PSG fringes two years ago, when he was 16, yet to earn his first starting appearance in Ligue 1. The Senegalese's growth has been remarkable - perhaps Ndiaye can now emulate his teenage compatriot.
He has also stood out among his peers at the U17 African Cup of Nations, and while the leap onto the major stage will be chasmic, Ndiaye is ticking all the right boxes, and he could be a talent as exciting as Liverpool's other members when he arrives next year, having spent several years growing into his skin in his homeland.
Iraola is renowned for developing young prospects, moulding them into superstars. It's too early to say whether Ndiaye will reach his potential, but the signs are promising, and he will challenge the likes of Mbaye when he arrives next year.