Liverpool will be entering a brand-new era next season amid major changes on and off the pitch at Anfield this summer.
Andoni Iraola has replaced Arne Slot as manager, while Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left.
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The loss of those three huge names leaves them with some holes to fill, with Iraola instantly at work to bring in some new faces.
Salah’s absence is going to be massively felt at Anfield next term, as his nine-year trophy and goal-laden spell came to an end.
But it appears that Liverpool are going to spend big to replace him, with RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande being eyed.
talkSPORT understands that the Reds are keen on signing Diomande this summer, in a deal that could cost in excess of £100million.
The club are prepared to be patient when looking for signings, but they have made bringing in a new winger a top priority.
And they are optimistic that Diomande wants to join them, with a potential transfer being completed during the World Cup.
If Diomande, who also has interest from Paris Saint-Germain, doesn’t join though, Köln’s Said El Mala, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh and Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo are all potential other wide options.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are already set to sign Spanish forward Victor Munoz from Osasuna after they hijacked Newcastle’s move.
They have paid Munoz’s £34m release clause and he is expected to become the first signing of the summer window for the club.
So, the Spaniard is on his way and Diomande could follow, so here’s how the Liverpool side could look with both of them involved…
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Change at the back
Alisson will be in goal for Liverpool again next season after the club blocked any potential exit this summer.
He is understood to have been unhappy to see a potential move to Juventus denied, as he enters the last year of his contract.
The Brazilian is going to have a changed back four in front of him next term, with Konate departing for Real Madrid.
Incoming centre-back Jeremy Jacquet could start next to Virgil van Dijk if the Reds don’t sign another, with Giovanni Leoni an option too.
At left-back, Milos Kerkez will start, but Robertson will no longer be back-up, as he has left the club to join Tottenham.
And on the right, Jeremie Frimpong will start the season as first-choice, as Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley provide cover.
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Midfield options
Liverpool’s midfield for next season wouldn’t change too much if they only add Munoz and Diomande.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will compete for the two deeper roles in Iraola’s system.
Florian Wirtz will then start behind the striker in the No.10 role.
Szoboszlai may be preferred to Mac Allister, considering how both performed last season, with the latter struggling.
Curtis Jones is also going to be a contender, with Szoboszlai or Wirtz potentially playing out wide instead.
However, with Munoz, Diomande, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha, there would be some strong competition on the wings.
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£100m star joins attack
Diomande would be able to play on either side of the front line, regularly playing on the left and on the right.
He started Ivory Coast’s first game at the World Cup on the right and starred, catching the eye of those watching.
His lightning-fast speed would be a huge asset to flank Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike, while he is able to score and create, chipping in with 13 goals and 10 assists for Leipzig last season.
As Munoz, another very fast winger, plays off the left, it would mean Diomande would take a place in Salah’s old spot.
As mentioned, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Gakpo and Ngumoha could all also be contenders to start on one of the wings for Liverpool.
But Munoz may end up taking a spot, while if they end up paying £100m+ for Diomande, he’s a sure starter.
How Liverpool could line up
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