Yankuba Minteh has been linked with a transfer switch to Liverpool, as the club continues to push for a new winger in the final weeks of the market.
Steven Gerrard, Manager of Aston Villa looks dejected following their sides defeat after the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Aston Villa
Steven Gerrard previously slammed Yankuba Minteh during a clash with Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images))
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard previously claimed that Yankuba Minteh was "lucky" to get away with a controversial moment against the Reds during the side's clash with Brighton earlier this year.
The winger has been linked with a potential switch to Anfield in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, as an option to improve the wide ranks moving forward.
Recent reports claimed that Liverpool had a $68 million bid for Minteh rejected by Brighton, after making a late push to land the Gambian international, who could replace Mohamed Salah on the right flank.
While the Seagulls have rejected that approach, the Reds remain linked with a switch, while the 22-year-old is interested in joining the club if transfer terms can be agreed.
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In Minteh, Liverpool could land a player who has plenty of quality, as well as potential for the future, which the team has seen firsthand in recent months.
Earlier this year, the Merseyside outfit was on the end of a top display from the forward, who provided an assist for Danny Welbeck with a tempting cross, which earned Brighton a 2-1 win over the Reds.
While Minteh showed Liverpool exactly what he can do, he was also wrapped up in a controversial moment in the game, which perhaps should have seen him sent off before he landed an assist.
Yankuba Minteh in action against Liverpool
Yankuba Minteh in action against Liverpool(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The Brighton star, on a yellow card, appeared to throw himself to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty, which was waved away by referee Darren England.
For Gerrard, the Gambian international was fortunate to avoid a red card for what he believed to be a dive. He said on TNT Sports: "Well, I think he’s extremely lucky. It has been a great battle down that side - they’ve [Minteh and Frimpong] both got blistering pace. The ball gets played in behind here, there’s no contact, and he just goes over.
"It is a dive in my opinion, and he gets away with one here. He’s very, very lucky. I’ll be surprised if the manager keeps him on much longer actually with [Kaoru] Mitoma on the bench, so keep an eye out for that as well.”
Slot was seen reacting furiously at the decision, though he ultimately had to concede the match in what was another damaging defeat at the end.
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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler praised Minteh after the match, despite the accusations of simulation, when he said: "Yankuba Minteh is a great example of what it means to work hard, not just offensively but defensively.
"I always say to my team if you are successful as a team, if you create good connection, then you will get rewards as individuals but first of all you have to perform as a team, which is what they are doing at the moment.”
Liverpool will certainly be hoping to pounce on that ability moving forward, putting aside the controversy during the clash late last season.