The transfer fee Liverpool could spend to sign their new Rio Ngumoha

If Liverpool could travel back in time, then perhaps they would have avoided breaking records to welcome major additions last season. One year on, the market has arguably reached a point of no return.

It’s not the Reds who started it of course, but they did set the most recent precedent. 12 months on, Elliot Anderson has joined Manchester City for £116m, RB Leipzig want a similar price for Yan Diomande and it’s the same case for Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola.

Anfield chiefs have been left scratching their heads over just who their Mohamed Salah replacement could be, but bargain deals are still out there. Michael Edwards just needs to roll back the years at Liverpool.

Who could Liverpool sign after Diomande snub?

They say never fall in love with a loan player, but that rule should also apply to summer targets. There haven’t been many bigger Ivory Coast fans than Liverpool this summer, with supporters setting their sights on Diomande.

On paper, the Leipzig star is exactly what they need. He is a take-on monster capable of producing end product at unbelievable speed. Add on the fact that he’s still just 19 years old, and it’s easy to see why Liverpool were willing to spend big.

That ship has now reportedly sailed, however. PSG have stolen a march on the Reds and Diomande now prefers a move to the European champions rather than Anfield.

It’s sent Edwards and Richard Hughes back to the drawing board, where Barcola, Yankuba Minteh and Matias Fernandez-Pardo are all options alongside one of the main names to watch, Said El Mala

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are keen on signing El Mala from FC Koln this summer. The 19-year-old has already caught the eye of Brentford and familiar transfer foes, Newcastle United, but Liverpool’s presence could result in a move to Anfield.

The Reds are said to be taking a proactive approach to the situation have already started scouting work on the player with a view to making a move.

Alas, it’s not a routine deal. El Mala’s family are trying to convince clubs to also take the winger’s older brother, Malek El Mala, which has seen talks break down with Brentford. A £43m move look set to be completed before it fell through.

It seems unlikely that Liverpool will be interested in a two-for-one deal, but that should not become a deal-breaker. El Mala is talented enough to move past that sticking point in negotiations.

How El Mala compares to Rio Ngumoha

Whilst no one will deny that El mala wouldn’t steal the same headlines as Diomande or Barcola, he’s not one to write off. This is a young player who scored 13 goals and assisted another five in all competitions last season, and did so as an impressive take-on expert.

If Liverpool put their trust in young players, then they could have Rio Ngumoha on one side – who is already their most impressive dribbler – and El Mala on the other, who has the end product to match his take-on success.

The young duo would almost be a throwback to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah with how many touches they enjoy inside the opposition’s box, combined with take-on success.

Under Arne Slot last season, Liverpool’s wingers were far too wide. It limited Salah, created problems for Milos Kerkez in a narrow full-back role and forced Jeremie Frimpong into a failed attacking role.

That should change under Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard will want his wingers to play on the inside far more often and that would benefit two players with very similar profiles in Ngumoha and El Mala.

Described as “the most direct winger in Europe” by analyst Spencer Mossman, El Mala’s output suggests that he’d be ready-made for such a role, whilst Ngumoha’s underlying numbers indicate that he’s simply waiting for his to explode.

From predictable and slow, Liverpool’s wing pairing could become undeniable, quick, and ruthless next season.