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Liverpool will evaluate their options and decide what they want to do with their squad now that the January transfer window is officially open for business.
The appointment of a new central defender appears to be high on the championship agenda. Premier League champions, like they would apparently get closer on a deal to sign Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez for £43million.
The Ecuador international is expected to arrive at Anfield to compete with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk for a place at the heart of the defense, but he is not expected to be the only signing of the month for Arne Slot.
Liverpool keep tabs on Bundesliga striker
Ordonez may not be the only addition of the month for the Premier League giants as they are reportedly eyeing a Bundesliga striker.
According to the Daily MailLiverpool are on the lookout for centre-back and striker options, as they look set to miss out on a deal for Antoine Semenyo, who is expected to sign for Manchester City.
The report claims that the Reds are considering RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, perhaps as an alternative to Semenyo, with the January transfer window now open for business.
He reveals the club have sent scouts to monitor the Ivorian talent, currently in the Africa Cup of Nations, in action during the 2025/26 campaign, ahead of a possible swoop for his services.
The Daily Mail does not specify how much Leipzig would demand for the 19-year-old wing wizard, but The Guardian recently claimed that £87 million would have to be paid to induce them to profit from him.
Why Liverpool must sign Diomandé
Football FanCast published an article after the 0-0 draw with Leeds United explaining why Florian Wirtz should play further down the team, rather than as a direct striker on the left wing.
Play it £116m summer signing in a deep midfield role, however, would leave Cody Gakpo as the only senior and experienced option on the left wing, and he has been inconsistent this season.
The Dutchman started the campaign in fine form, with four goals and three assists in the first 11 competitive matches after the Community Shield, but things have since deteriorated for the Netherlands international.
|
Cody Gakpo (season 25/26) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
First 11 matches |
last 11 matches |
|
Begin |
10 |
7 |
|
Goals |
4 |
1 |
|
Key passes |
25 |
13 |
|
Big chances created |
8 |
4 |
|
Aids |
3 |
1 |
As you can see in the table above, Gakpo has failed to make much of an impact in the final third of the last 11 matches in all competitions, with both of his goals coming in a win over West Ham United, who are in the relegation zone.
This is why Liverpool should push to complete a deal for Diomandé this month, as the Ivorian striker could arrive and be their first-choice option on the wing.
U23 scout Antoino Mango described the teenage star as a defender’s “nightmare” and as a “crazy speedster” who can pose a constant threat on the flank, which is supported by his form in the Bundesliga this season.
Diomande has scored six goals in 3.16 xG and provided two assists in ten Bundesliga starts so far this season, according to Sofascore, and has not gone more than two games without a goal contribution in his last nine appearances.
The versatile striker, who can play on the left or right flank, has also scored a goal and provided an assist in two appearances in the DFB Pokal for Leipzig, taking his tally to seven goals and three assists this season.
Meanwhile, Gakpo, who is seven years older than him, has scored just five goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, according to Sofascore, so far this season.
These stats suggest that Diomandé could immediately offer a greater threat, as well as greater consistency, in the final third on the wing as a replacement for the Dutchman if Liverpool manage to complete a deal for him this month.
Signing a 19-year-old to be his immediate successor and an upgrade from him could also be bad news for his future at Anfield, as it could raise doubts about his place in the team in the future, as his playing time could be limited by the arrival of a superior player.
It means an £87 million investment to strengthen Slot’s squad with Diomande this month could mean the beginning of the end of Gakpo’s time at the club.
