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GOOD NEWS: As Liverpool found Sadio Mane replacement as player set for medical

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Liverpool has found its next Sadio Mané who really is like a new Jürgen Klopp signing

Liverpool has seen a few good aspects over fixtures with Chelsea and Bournemouth. Alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, another Jürgen Klopp has stood out so far.

Jürgen Klopp embraces Liverpool forward Luis Díaz.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been excellent for Liverpool so far this season. Alexis Mac Allister has made an exceptional start, especially considering that he has been playing a role to which he is not best suited. And others have looked good in the early weeks too, with Virgil van Dijk among those in decent form.

But in Luis Díaz, the Reds have really (re)discovered a gem. The long-term plan to make the Colombian the replacement for Sadio Mané was put on hold last season because of a substantial double injury setback, but Díaz now looks back to his very best.

Scoring the equalizer against Bournemouth and being a threat throughout, the $62m (£49m/€57m) forward looked really sharp and direct. He is going to need to add even more goals to his game over the course of the next few months, but this one was taken really well — the early signs are very positive.

Díaz’s movements appeared to be much more Mané-like, too. When he was in possession, particularly against Bournemouth but against Chelsea at times too, he was going left and right to leave his opposite number guessing his next move.

Meanwhile, when the ball was elsewhere on the field, he was drifting inside to get on the end of things. That is exactly how his superbly-taken strike at Anfield came about.

Diogo Jota was not at his best last Saturday but still scored and Mohamed Salah climbed the goalscoring charts again despite taking a poor penalty. Cody Gakpo will become another attacker when he is not needed to fill in as a midfielder and Darwin Núñez will get his chance too.

No one in the forward line impressed more than Díaz, though, and only Szoboszlai on the entire field had a better all-round game than the winger. Liverpool’s new number seven has started the 2023/24 campaign in good form.

While the desperate clamor to avoid describing someone returning from an injury that kept them out for most of last season as being ‘like a new signing’ is understandable, it is undoubtedly true in the case of Díaz.

He was not there from October last year and was not at his peak when he returned near the end of the season. He is now, and Liverpool has a potentially world-class option available again.

There is no better forward that Liverpool could have added on the left-hand side and this weekend was only the start. The hope now must be that Díaz can stay fit all season long this time around — if he does, then a 20-goal-plus year is surely a possibility.

Liverpool ‘submits $51m transfer bid’ as Jörg Schmadtke ‘in talks’ and second signing ‘possible’
Media Digest: Liverpool is reportedly in talks with a key defensive target after seeing a $51m bid rejected for a midfielder. Jörg Schmadtke could be a busy man.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hancapié.

Liverpool ‘in talks’ for $76m player

With the news of Ibrahima Konaté picking up a muscle injury that will cause him to miss the clash against Newcastle United, Liverpool’s lack of depth at the back suddenly looks a lot more severe.

Captain Virgil van Dijk already has no back-up in the left center-back position and Jürgen Klopp’s side is crying out for recruitment in this area. But that supposedly could be about to arrive in the form of Ecuadorian international Piero Hancapié.

Speaking on the latest developments regarding Hincapié, journalist Christian Falk offered an update on the defender. He said: “There are many Premier League clubs interested in Piero Hincapié. Liverpool could be one of them. I don’t think there’s enough time to make the deal, as Leverkusen doesn’t want to sell.

“If they were forced to think about it, it would have to be a high price — $76m (£60m/€70m) and more. I don’t think it’s the right moment for Liverpool to spend this money. I think Schamdtke will know that.

“Leverkusen are very interested in a loan deal for Luke Chambers — they really want him. This could happen, and so you see there talks between Leverkusen and Jörg Schmadtke, but I think he knows it will be too difficult to get Hincapié.”

If Liverpool is indeed in talks with Leverkusen over Chambers, perhaps a deal for Hincapié could be done.

Liverpool ‘makes $51m bid for midfielder’

Despite the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, Liverpool is still seemingly light in midfield, which is outlined by the continued links to other midfield targets.

Names such as Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat and Bayern Munich ace Ryan Gravenberch have both been linked, and it is the latter who is seemingly more likely as of now.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool has made a $52m (£41m/€48m) bid for the Dutch international, with the German side rejecting the offer immediately as they look to keep him at the club.

However, the report goes on to state that the 21-year-old would be keen on a move to Anfield, due to concern over the amount of playing time he will receive in Thomas Tuchel’s squad after a difficult first year for the Bavarian club.

 

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