Liverpool are in dire need of reinforcements in attack, with recent links to Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola suggesting the Reds will definitely reinforce in that position
Liverpool have had several glaring problems this season, with the largest being looking dull and out of ideas in the final third.
Last year’s marquee signings, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, failed to hit the ground running, and the sharp decline of departing legend Mohamed Salah meant the Premier League champions whimpered in the defence of their title.
Alexander Isak celebrating after scoring for LiverpoolLiverpool need to add at least one, possibly two players to their attack this season, with the departure of Salah, the likely exit of Federico Chiesa, and long-term injury to Hugo Ekitike leaving them short.
As manager Arne Slot has suggested numerous times throughout the season, the club needs reinforcement in the wide areas, specifically players with pace who can beat their man.
Liverpool have been linked with many wingers, but stats show these three wingers could make an immediate impact for the Reds.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande was named as a leading target by The Athletic’s David Ornstein over the weekend, adding that the Reds would have to part with €100m+ to land the 19-year-old.
Diomande has impressed in his debut season at Leipzig, scoring 12 goals and registering eight assists across 28 starts.
However, its Diomande directness and pace that would’ve caught the Anfield scouts’ eyes.
He averages 4.29 successful dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga this season, with a success rate of 59.9%, according to data from Fotmob.
In comparison, Salah, who Diomande will likely slot in for on the right-hand side, averaged 0.69 successful dribbles per 90, with a success rate of 24.2%.
Diomande averages 0.37 expected assists (xA) per 90 and creates 0.62 big chances per game.
Again, in comparison, Salah this season averages 0.21xA per 90, with 0.43 big chances created per game.
Bradley Barcola
Bradley Barcola has been loosely linked with an Anfield move since his Lyon days and recent media speculation suggests he may be seeking a move away from PSG.
The 23-year-old often finds himself in and out of the team, which is no surprise given PSG’s wealth of attacking talent.
Despite this, he has still managed 11 goals and 1 assist across 29 appearances this season in the league. The Frenchman also has two goals and four assists in 15 Champions League appearances.
Barcola prefers to operate on the left-hand side of attack, so a theoretical team featuring him and Diomande would work.
However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would spend the cash required to land both Diomanda and Barcola, given the need for reinforcements in other areas of the pitch.
With that being said, his stats don’t read particularly strongly.
He averages 0.23xA per 90 with 0.57 big chances created per 90, according to FotMob.
Barcola averages 1.85 successful dribbles, with a success rate of 41.4%.
Said El Mala
Said El Mala celebrating after scoring for Koln in the BundesligaA somewhat rogue shout, but one I think would be an excellent addition as a cheaper secondary option, is Koln’s Said El Mala.
Like Diomande, the 19-year-old has had a breakout season, scored 13 goals and registering four assists in the league this season.
While his output numbers are pretty good, there can be some work done to refine his game.
He averages 0.11xA per 90 in the Bundesliga this season with 0.37 big chances created, 2.02 successful dribbles and an impressive success rate of 37%.
Liverpool have lots of business to conduct this summer and it appears that signing a winger could be the first domino to fall.
