Liverpool have been making calls to sign big-money star Ekitike 2.0

Last year, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions, beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield to add Arne Slot’s face to the glittering red banner.

How things have changed over the past 12 months, with the Dutchman now under fire and facing an end-of-season review. Word on the street is that he will survive and work with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes throughout the summer transfer window, a signing made in line with Slot’s own vision.

Let’s hope that the hero of last year will bring back that faded image, which is now the solution to the dramatic decline that has seen cries for change many times.

When Slot and Mohamed Salah endured a public row after losing to Brighton & Hove Albion in December, it looked like someone would have to go. That has become the club’s greatest striker for several generations, and now Slot and co need to secure a replacement.

Romano: Liverpool “calling” for Salah’s place

Salah is irreplaceable, but of course, Liverpool need to do everything they can this summer. Salah goes, and takes all of his 257 goals.

Couple that with Hugo Ekitike’s Achilles injury, and Alexander Isak’s struggles throughout the campaign, and it’s clear that Liverpool need to sign a new goalscorer, even after last summer’s explosion.

What Liverpool need is a new striker who can contribute to a title contending team in the next few years. Easier said than done, and while Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise is not on the cards, FSG are focusing on another Bundesliga talent.

According to Fabrizio Romano, who knows a thing or two about the transfer issue, Liverpool are “calling” RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, who has impressed this season in Germany.

Romano said in full: “PSG is interested. Bayern is interested and Liverpool is also always looking for the player. Several clubs are looking for the player. Leipzig is discussing the possibility of keeping the player for one season and includes a release clause to keep him until 2027. Liverpool continues to follow the player. Liverpool scouts have been in Leipzig the case of the last game, Diomande will look at the last two interesting games, Diomande will look at the games the last two interesting ones in this summer window.”

Unless the Ivorian signs a new deal, Leipzig are likely to drop their £87m maximum price once again.

Why Diomande could be Liverpool’s new Ekitike

Diomande is only 19 years old, and in all honesty, he’s on the cutting edge. Last season, he was playing for Leganes in Spain, although he was absent until he was finally trusted by his manager months ago.

After moving to Leipzig last year, he has developed at an incredible pace. You could say he emulated Ekitike in that, with the French striker flourishing – for the most part – since joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last year.

Ekitike is unlikely to feature again before the end of the calendar year, and that is a blow to the powerful striker, but he will be back to join Diomande before long, much bigger and more expansive than their role in Liverpool’s system may demand of them.

Not only is he angry and furious when he plays, the defender is also willing to get involved in defence, and in that regard, he will make a huge difference down the right for Liverpool next year.

Commentator Raj Chohan has even predicted that the Ivorian will “play on both wings” for the Anfield side, insisting that the deal could be on its way out.

In fact, he would be regarded as Salah’s successor on the right, Diomande could use an Ekitike-esque quality, arriving as a young player from Germany and quickly emerging as one of Slot’s most reliable attacking players.

Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Bence Bocsák, Diomande is the real deal, and while he won’t be expected to play with Salah’s brilliance, Diomande could emulate Ekitike in the win over Germany and make an immediate impact in the Slot team.

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