Liverpool should sign’next Sadio Mané’as Mohamed Salah heir after Jürgen Klopp transfer message

The season is over for Liverpool but the work has only just begun. It’s expected to be a hectic summer ahead for Jürgen Klopp as he rejigs his team and looks to assemble another winning squad at Anfield.

Speaking in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 4-4 draw at Southampton, Klopp said in his press conference (as per Blood Red) that he is expecting to be ‘on the phone’ a lot this summer. And that’s no surprise since earlier this month, he admitted the Reds were looking at ‘every position except for goalkeeper’ in the summer transfer market.

Midfield is going to be a priority and perhaps depending on outgoings, Liverpool also needs to strengthen in defense as well. But one under-the-radar position that could also be rejuvenated by a new arrival is in attack.

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Liverpool has added a lot of ammunition to the squad in the past year. But it has also lost a lot of ammunition as well and is going to lose another one in Roberto Firmino, who has played his last game in a Liverpool shirt.

Firmino’s position may already be occupied by Cody Gakpo, but his place in the squad as another offensive option off the bench pushing for a starting spot is now vacant.

One of the weakest spots in terms of numbers in the attacking line, which is paradoxically also Liverpool’s greatest strength, is Mohamed Salah’s right wing berth. The Egyptian is one of the best players in world football and he can dominate that flank week in and week out.

However, he is getting older and is set to turn 31 years old in the summer and Liverpool cannot rely on him forever, especially when there are no back-up options to alleviate the pressure from his shoulders.

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If the opportunity is right, Liverpool could definitely fill that vacant position and could do it with a winger who has reportedly previously been on the club’s radar.

The Reds were linked with Samuel Chukwueze even this season with Defensa Central reporting that he was on Liverpool’s transfer wish list back in late April. But France Football reported all the way back in 2020 that Liverpool was interested in the player and had even had a bid rejected for him during the January transfer window of the 2019/20s season.

The 24-year-old Nigerian winger has enjoyed a terrific season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 48 games, and Chukwueze is definitely ready for the next step in his career. With his contract expiring in 2024, now is the time for Liverpool to make a deal and land him for a lot cheaper than they would have to if he was on a long-term contract.

Samuel Chukwueze has been on Liverpool’s transfer radar for some time.

(Image: Aitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images)

An explosive winger, Chukwueze has the skillset and the speed to function superbly in Klopp’s offensive system. He is somebody who likes to cut into central channels but is extremely comfortable at progressing the ball and taking players on one vs one with devastating effects.

In Europe’s top five leagues this season the Nigerian has ranked in seventh place for successful take-on attempts (83), 18th for progressive carries (126) and 10th for carries into the penalty area (69) as per FBref. He’s a real force in possession but also makes his moments count ranking third overall in Europe’s top five leagues for take-on attempts which lead to a shot.

Liverpool hasn’t had such a decisive winger since Sadio Mané — a player that Chukwueze has been likened to by ex-Reds left-back Alberto Moreno (via Goal), who has played with both — and if there is money left in the budget to make a move for a forward this summer, then the club would be smart to bring the Nigerian to Anfield.

Not only is he more than capable to play on the right side, he’s a player who won’t be just there to make up the numbers but someone who could push Salah to new heights, and even replace him in the team in the future.

READ NEXT….

Fabio Carvalho transfer stance confirmed as Virgil van Dijk makes Liverpool promise

Your morning Liverpool digest for Tuesday, May 30

Fabio Carvalho transfer stance confirmed as Liverpool reject bid

Liverpool do not want to lose Fabio Carvalho on a permanent deal this summer as transfer interest intensifies in the youngster.

The Reds have already turned down one offer from an unnamed club, with Carvalho having seen his first-team opportunities restricted during his debut season at Anfield.

Carvalho, who joined from Fulham last summer in a deal worth a potential £7m, has started just one game since Christmas, against Wolves in the FA Cup in early January, and has been restricted to one substitute appearance since the beginning of April.

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LATEST: Jurgen Klopp drops transfer hint as Liverpool summer plans take shape

The ECHO understands Liverpool have been contacted by a number of potential suitors from both home and abroad with Jurgen Klopp admitting on Friday that Carvalho could leave on loan in the summer transfer window.

Klopp said: “I think there is a maybe a possibility Fabio goes on loan but the thing is this was not Fabio’s best year in his career, clear, but it might have been his most important.

Read the full story, here.

Virgil van Dijk makes promise over what Liverpool will do this summer

Virgil van Dijk says Liverpool are ready to “work like crazy” in pre-season to put right their disappointing Premier League campaign next term.

Jurgen Klopp’s side finished their campaign in fifth with 67 points, which is their lowest finish and tally in a full season under their German manager, who joined in October 2015.

As a result, the Reds have missed out on a place in the lucrative Champions League and will now take part in the less glamorous Europa League in the 2023/24 term.

Liverpool will fly out to Germany for an intense training camp in mid-July where they will play two friendlies that are understood to be against Karlsruhe and Bundesliga 2 outfit Greuther Furth.

From there, the Reds will visit Singapore later in the month to play against relegated Leicester and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Van Dijk believes it will be a vital period for improving on the efforts of the 2022/23 season.

In a post on Instagram, Van Dijk wrote: “That’s that. A season we won’t remember, only got a few good moments. I learned a lot on the pitch but even more off it!

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