Liverpool will qualify for the Champions League this season — a maximum of three more points are required — but a far bigger challenge awaits Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes once the campaign concludes. After another sobering result, this weekend’s draw with Chelsea, the familiar shortcomings in the final third were laid bare once more. The Reds lack the explosive pace and cutting edge that once defined their attacking play, and the squad urgently needs fresh quality if Slot is to build a side capable of challenging at the highest level next term.
The most pressing issue is clear: Mohamed Salah is set to depart, and his replacement must bring more than just goal threat. A younger profile with genuine speed would unlock the creative talents already at Anfield — most notably Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak — and inject the directness Liverpool have missed for months.
One name firmly on the radar is RB Leipzig’s teenage starlet Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old has been electric in Germany this season, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists across all competitions. His blend of pace, finishing and vision makes him an ideal candidate to add the missing dimension in the final third.
Yet Diomande may not be the only Leipzig talent attracting Liverpool’s attention. According to German outlet BILD, the Reds are also monitoring exciting central midfielder Assan Ouedraogo. The 19-year-old has drawn interest from several elite clubs, including Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Chelsea. Valued in the region of $47 million (£35 million), Ouedraogo is technically gifted and physically imposing at 1.91 metres (6ft 3in). His ability to dictate play from deep, combined with his stature and athleticism, would give Slot a powerful new engine in the middle of the park.
Speculation has intensified this week that Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones could be facing uncertain futures at Anfield. Wataru Endo remains a reliable squad option but has never been a guaranteed starter and has just one year left on his contract. Fresh blood in central midfield is therefore a strategic necessity rather than a luxury.
Ouedraogo, who left Schalke for Leipzig in 2024, is still only 19 and could be ready for a step up to a title-challenging Premier League side. Liverpool’s well-established relationship with the Red Bull network — built through previous successful dealings — could prove decisive in any negotiations.
Slot and Hughes now face a pivotal summer. The task is not simply to replace departing stars but to evolve the squad with pace, technical excellence and youthful dynamism. Whether Yan Diomande provides the cutting edge or Assan Ouedraogo becomes the midfield anchor, one thing is certain: the Reds must act decisively if they are to turn promising foundations into genuine silverware contention next season.