Liverpool have not enjoyed a good season by any stretch, but Arne Slot will take solace in his side's recent form, winning back-to-back Premier League fixtures to stretch away from sixth-place Chelsea.
Fans have been pining for a change in the dugout, but whether the likes of Xabi Alonso or Andoni Iraola would actually make a significant and positive difference is a difficult one.
The crux of Liverpool's problems lie with the make-up of the squad. The summer transfer window could rewrite the script for the Anfield side, and Slot, after all, still boasts the title of the last Premier League-winning manager, evidence that he has what it takes to guide Liverpool back into the ascendancy.
arne-slot-liverpool
For example, if FSG pull off the task of replacing Mohamed Salah, Slot might just have a frontline ready to challenge for the biggest prizes once again, but that will be a tough task.
Liverpool already in talks for Salah successor
Replacing Salah on the right wing is not going to be easy. That goes without saying. The 33-year-old has been the lifeblood of this illustrious Liverpool era, hanging up his red boots as one of the greatest players in Premier League history.
Salah's PL Career at Liverpool
Season (* PL Title)
25/26
24/25*
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
19/20*
18/19
17/18
In an ideal world, Liverpool would accelerate their confirmed interest in Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and sign the France star for a British-record £150m deal.
However, this is not an ideal world, and the chances of signing Olise this summer are negligible.
But that might not matter, with Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg revealing that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is in "ongoing talks" with the representatives of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, with the attacker emerging as the top target to replace Salah.
Valued at £87m, the 20-year-old is one of the hottest forwards on the market, and though such a price tag feels excessive, there's no denying his world-class potential, with Arsenal and Manchester United also interested.
However, Diomande has already professed that he is a boyhood Liverpool fan, and the Anfield side are only advancing in their bid to replace Salah with a star who has a little bit of Sadio Mane about him.
Why Diomande could be Liverpool's new Mane
Diomande only joined RB Leipzig last summer, but he's adapted to the German game seamlessly, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists in the Bundesliga.
Fast and furious, Diomande has that rare ability to fashion something special from nothing. Across the campaign, he has created 13 big chances and has averaged 3.5 dribbles and 5.6 duels per game, striking with surgical precision.
Former coach Todd Eason has even said that, “He could be the next Yamal. He is that special.” It's a rare thing for a young winger to play with such directness and dynamism, but Diomande already looks like a cultured superstar.
He would differ from Salah, but that's for the best. Instead, Diomande's pace and greedy eye for goals, which is a good thing, makes him somewhat Mane-esque.
Sadio Mane stats at Liverpool (timeless)
Mane is not the definitive attacking superstar of this era at Anfield, but he is unquestionably one of the Premier League's best-ever left wingers, devastating under Jurgen Klopp's wing.
He scored so many goals, but there was also a combativeness to his game that Salah has never possessed to the same degree, and Diomande could remind Merseyside of that special playing style if Liverpool pull off a statement signing this summer.
Described as "a superstar" by journalist Bence Bocsak, Diomande is obviously not on the level that Mane was in his Liverpool prime, but he has the potential to reach that level.
With Salah heading off for a late-career change, this could be the perfect move to help redefine Liverpool's attack while maintaining the essence that has secured silverware over the past decade.
florian-wirtz-liverpool-everton Related
Liverpool begin £80m talks to sign an even bigger talent than Wirtz
Liverpool are in need with midfield reinforcements in the summer transfer market.