19 May 2026 09:30:56.
Maghnes Akliouche might now be the primary target to replace Mo Salah. The club are apparently unconvinced that Diomande is worth the amount of money that Leipzig are demanding given he only has one good season at a decent level on his CV.
Akliouche is a very similar player to Michael Olise or Rayan Cherki, stylistically. He's a very silky dribbler who will seek to get on the ball as much as possible, rather than hug the right wing.
He has 7 goals and 11 assists this season for Monaco in 43 appearances. He will score you goals, but he's primarily a creative player.
Still only 24 years old, he's considered a big talent in France. It would likely cost close to £50m to convince Monaco to sell as he's become their talisman this season.
19 May 2026 09:47:01
I thought quick wingers who play with intensity, press well and can beat a man were the way we were going this summer, MK. I've seen f*** all of this player. In your opinion, does he fit the bill?
19 May 2026 09:51:13
No one in here has watched this kid play. Hopefully the club has got it right if he is a target.
19 May 2026 09:58:47
I would be pretty happy if this materialises. This is the sort of talent we used to buy who became world class with elite coaching. I want us to return to this model. While it may be less "successful" than winning every trophy, I personally find it much more exciting.
19 May 2026 10:03:13
Florian Musiala, I do think it's looking more and more likely we might sign Barcola though to replace Gakpo. There seems to be something going on with him, as he's still not been given a new contract, and Doue is now starting ahead of him regularly.
I would prefer a quick and direct winger for both sides, but as thekoparmy said, Akliouche is the sort of signing we've historically done really well with.
19 May 2026 10:14:06
Don't mind finding rough diamonds at all. Love me a moneyball signing as long as they are at the standard required and what we need.
19 May 2026 10:29:14
Phil Babb's nut. Firstly don't assume because you've not seen him that no one else has and secondly, he's not a kid. He's 24 years old.
He's not exactly rapid (being generous) and certainly not the "quick winger who play with intensity" who are supposed to be saving us from mediocrity and the panacea to all of our ills from what I've seen he's more of a floaty number 10 type, which given we've already lashed out over £100m on Wirtz feels like duplication, unless we're playing with two number 10's.
Feels like more muddled thinking from the so called "laptop gurus" and self styled "most intelligent men in the room".
19 May 2026 10:53:24
I read that Diomande announced that he was stopping at Leipzig himself so that puts that to bed.
Overpriced? Who isn't in this day and age, and we have not helped by overpaying for Isak and Wirtz. Selling clubs take notice of such things.
Thanks for the update and review of the player, MK. I always used to enjoy reading your player articles.
We need to upgrade our winger options for next season, no doubt about that.
19 May 2026 11:08:55
VV, I am sorry, but there's absolutely no chance anyone here has watched him, Diomande, Barcola, Toure, Verla Hanourat, Gdts, etc. These are just the wingers.
I'll stand by this. There's no reason to believe people watch all 18-20 teams in all top 5 leagues to make a judgement every season on Liverpool transfer rumours.
It's one of the funniest things I have always seen on this page for the almost 20 years, on and off, I have visited it.
19 May 2026 11:19:21
With us wanting Camara, could a deal be done for £100m for both.
19 May 2026 11:50:03
Akhilouche is more of a right sided no10 than a winger. He's not bad out wide, but he's not a flying winger. Not against it, but he's not the direct pace in behind half the board has been crying out for.
Lamine Camara, yes please. Should have got it done in January 2025.
19 May 2026 12:21:42
Phil Babbs Nut, I've seen Barcola, Diomande and Akliouche play this season alone. The other 3 you mentioned, I have never seen play, though I have watched clips of Toure and Godts. In fact, I've never even heard of Verla Honourat.
Maybe some people just like football more than you do or have more free time? You are aware that German, French, Italian and Spanish football are regularly shown in the UK nowadays, right? It's great.
I used to have to watch on dodgy streams, now it's in HD.
19 May 2026 12:22:33
So a bit like young Morrison FPF? I'd rather just give the lad a go if so.
19 May 2026 12:36:40
I too like the look of Kieran Morrison, Florian. Would have liked to see him get more opportunities rotating with Mo but Slot has been fighting for his job since November, limiting the opportunities for the kids.
My guess is he will be getting a loan next season.
19 May 2026 12:49:01
I watch the YouTube highlights of every player we are linked with on here. They are all friggin brilliant.
19 May 2026 13:19:07
Yeh, think so, FPF. Has outgrown Premier League 2. Wouldn't mind him being in the squad next season. In my opinion, wouldn't do any worse than Chiesa as a backup.
19 May 2026 13:44:21
To get the full benefit of Isak, who is primarily a target man, we really need out and out wingers that will bombard the penalty box with crosses. Having wingers who only cut in and shoot (Gakpo has been reduced to being a one-trick pony) makes you wonder what Isak was bought for?
If Isak is the new main man (after Salah leaves), then make him the main man.
It's not astrophysics.
19 May 2026 13:47:18
Sorry, MK, I just find it hard to believe that. Which Akilouche match did you see, who was he up against? What particular highlight did you see?
19 May 2026 14:15:13
He's definitely more of a right-sided 10 like someone said above and not a pacey one.
To be honest, I think we need to sort out the coach first so the new man can tell the suits what he needs.
19 May 2026 15:22:07
Phil Babbs Nut, I watched him play against Man City in the Champions League, mate. Anyway, my main take away was that he drifts around and comes looking for the ball, as I said, similar to Cherki and Olise. Wants to get on the ball and make things happen.
Why's it so hard for you to believe someone has seen him play? He's also played against Spurs this season in the Champions League, although I did not watch that one.
I know he played well enough that Spurs are interested in signing him though. Is it a huge stretch for you to believe someone in the UK flicked over the channels to watch an English team playing in Europe? I've honestly not got much better things to do after dinner on a week night!
19 May 2026 15:27:16
Indeed, MKS. Who knew people living in the UK could watch other leagues, CL games, int'l football games outside of the UK?