Liverpool's spending in the summer transfer window should have been enough to see them challenge for the Premier League title again.
They easily won the transfer market. Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz? It was one hell of a window, but the reality is that Arne Slot's charges have been way below par.
They stand no chance of retaining the title, but fortunately, they are making good progress in the FA Cup. They demolished Brighton on Saturday evening, defeating the Seagulls 3-0.
szoboszlai-liverpool (2)
Curtis Jones earned a rare start and took his chance, scoring in the first half before Dominik Szoboszlai and Mo Salah sealed a routine win in the second half. Comfortable wins have been few and far between this season for the Reds, so this was a welcome change of pace and indeed a welcome distraction from the league.
So, how do Liverpool get back to where they want to be? It's not all about spending lavish sums of money, as this season has shown, but spending wisely. One area they need to improve is on the left flank.
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Salah's Liverpool career is set to continue this summer as he holds down the right flank but the left flank is certainly more uncertain, judging by the performances of Cody Gakpo in recent weeks.
As a result, replacements are being sought with the likes of Anthony Gordon at Newcastle and Wolves' teenager superstar Mateus Mane both linked in recent days.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle
Yet, the most exciting link concerns RB Leipzig superstar Yan Diomande. The Reds were touted to make a move for the Ivory Coast winger in January but nothing came to fruition.
Now, just 13 days after the window slammed shut, Diomande's name has popped up again. Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have been joined by Manchester United and Arsenal in scouting the Ivorian.
Yan Diomande for RB Leipzig
It's also claimed that all three of those clubs have opened talks with Diomande's camp to register their interest in the young forward.
That said, he will cost a fortune with Leipzig having placed a £87m price tag on his shoulders. That would make him the German club's record sale, surpassing the fee Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol.
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How Diomande compares to Gakpo
Gakpo has been a pillar of frustration for Liverpool supporters this season with the Dutchman having scored just five Premier League goals in 23 matches.
He's been particularly underwhelming in 2026, finding the net just once across his eight league matches this calendar year.
cody-gakpo-liverpool-1
Slot's side feel pretty complete across the rest of the forward line and while Ekitike could feature off the left, he cannot do so right now due to Isak's injury. The Frenchman is required to lead the attack.
So, Diomande would be a mighty fine solution in the summer with the Reds looking for a long-term answer to their woes on the left-hand side of the forward line.
Before signing for Manchester City, Liverpool had been tracking Semenyo but in the form of the Leipzig sensation, they could find their answer to the Ghanaian.
Just 19 years of age, the teenager has burst onto the scene in quite some style during 2025/26, beating the goalkeeper on nine occasions, also registering six assists in 24 matches across cup and league action in Germany.
Yan Diomande of Ivory Coast
So impressive has the youngster's form been in the Bundesliga that he's already earning comparisons to a certain Erling Haaland. Journalist Bence Bocsak noted that the situation is like the one that happened with Erling Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg. "As an interested club, you don't want to wait around and let one of your rivals get him," he wrote on social media. "Haaland was another level even to Diomande but the RB Leipzig winger is not far off," he concluded.
Possessing an unpredictable and explosive nature, he is a talent who seems tailor-made for the Premier League. He's an exceptional dribbler and has end product to boot.
Diomande vs Gakpo (2025/26 league)
Stat (per 90 mins)
Goals
Assists
Shots
Shot accuracy
Conversion rate
Chances created
Take-ons completed
Duels won
Compared to Gakpo, the difference in quality is evidently night and day right now. While there isn't a huge amount to separate between the two for goals and assists per 90 minutes, there are some alarming differences.
Diomande's efficiency is remarkable in comparison to the Dutchman. His shot accuracy of 72% and conversion rate of 32% are particularly striking. Not only does he beat his man more regularly than Gakpo but once he gets into a position to shoot, it usually either ends with a shot on target or a goal.
That's where one of the biggest frustrations boils down to with Gakpo. He can beat a man, but very rarely does he then find the net.
While it would be ridiculous to suggest that Diomande could be Liverpool's new Salah, he's already showing the same sort of ruthless streak that has made the Egyptian a legend at Anfield. This would be an excellent summer capture for the reds.
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