The £87m star could sign for Liverpool next week

From the moment FSG decided to sack Arne Slot, it was clear that Liverpool would push to sign Andoni Iraola after his contract with Bournemouth expired.

This is something of a gamble, but if successful, Liverpool will return to the “rock and roll” football that has come to define Jurgen Klopp’s incredible nine-year reign. This is how Iraola describes his technique, and notes the diametric difference from the slow and calculated ball that Slott pitched.

Iraola is different, but he knows how to adapt, and he has fought tooth and nail to reach this pinnacle of the profession. Now, FSG needs to back him up with impactful additions.

Liverpool are in talks with a camp for top players

FSG has a lot to sort out over the next few months. Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes have failed to reach an agreement with Ibrahima Konate, who is leaving on a free transfer (apparently to Real Madrid), and the right-back is still a concern.

However, Mohamed Salah’s departure means Liverpool need a new right-back as a matter of urgency, and FSG are prioritizing a deal for one striker above all others.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are locked in talks with Yan Diomande’s camp, although the race for the RB Leipzig striker will be tough, with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich also chasing.

Romano said in full: “Liverpool is in talks. They are on it, definitely. PSG is also talking to the players’ camp. The fight is still going on. Diomande is very high on the list of Liverpool and PSG. I can tell you that what the players want is to make an agreement quickly before the start of the World Cup so that Diomande can go to the World Cup without thinking. They will try the World Cup without thinking. Leipzig is not easy to negotiate with but Liverpool and PSG both they work on it.”

The £87m-rated right winger may only be 19, but he is one of the most talented players in the world, and has expressed a desire to move to Anfield in the past.

If Liverpool can pull it off, it could give Iraola his new focal point in attack, someone who can take over the role that Eli Junior Kroupi filled with such gusto last year.

Why Diomande could be Iraola’s new Kroupi

Kroupi, 19, has emerged under Iraola’s wing this season, but signing him could be difficult after the Cherries qualified for Europe.

Instead, Liverpool could happily pursue a deal for Diomande, with FSG hoping to wrap it up before the start of the World Cup next week.

The teenager scored 13 goals and provided ten assists for Leipzig this term, with Liverpool-based journalist Bence Bocsak saying, “Whatever it costs, he’s a star. He’s worth every penny.”

It is amazing that you have made such huge gains in such a short time. In some ways, this is similar to Kroupi in the Premier League, the French talent who arrived from Lorient in Ligue 2 last summer and finished the league campaign with 13 goals. He gave up only three big chances.

However, with Salah leaving, Liverpool need to throw the kitchen sink at finding a new right winger, someone who can lead Liverpool’s line for years to come – and the maverick’s unexpected brilliance.

In the Bundesliga, Diomande created 17 big chances this season, winning 5.6 duels and completing 3.6 dribbles on average per game. It’s hard to see how this ability won’t translate to Premier League football, especially with the Iraola coach having shown he can take exciting talents and turn them into a battle to be reckoned with.

The power is unlimited, and it is important to note that Diomande is also free on the left side, something that Iraola can use to emphasize, to do the same.

There is a reason why PSG, the greatest club of its time, are interested in Diomande. There’s also reason Liverpool believe they hold the key to unlocking their full attacking potential.

Iraola has already shown with Kroupi and Antoine Semenyo that he can mold exciting talents into stars, and now he can do the same with Diomande at Liverpool.