Liverpool made an initial approach for Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche during the summer transfer window as the club continues to search for wide targets following Mohamed Salah's exit. The Reds contacted Monaco to check on Akliouche's availability earlier in the window.
Akliouche's Performance and PSG Interest
The 24-year-old scored seven goals and provided 11 assists for the Ligue 1 side last season. He has since emerged as a target for Paris Saint-Germain, who have reportedly had three offers for Akliouche rejected.
Minamino's Endorsement
Former Liverpool star Takumi Minamino, who has been Akliouche's teammate at Monaco since 2022, has given him his seal of approval. “When I arrived at the club, I noticed him straight away, he was the best young player in the team,” Minamino told Monaco’s club website in December 2024. “He has huge potential and he showed it last year against several teams. He is always humble, he is a good player but also a good person above all. I am sure he will have a good future so I am happy to be able to play with him.”
Klopp on Minamino
Shortly after Minamino signed for Monaco in 2022, Jurgen Klopp praised the Japan international, who made 55 Liverpool appearances and won the 2020 Premier League title. "We miss him honestly. He is a fantastic player and he was a fantastic part of our squad," Klopp said. "We should not forget, as an offensive player coming to Liverpool in a time when the settled front three were Mane, Firmino, Salah; the new signing was Diogo Jota -- it's not like you have to be a bad player to not be in the first lineup. No, you have to be a world-class player to be around [the starting XI] and to be the next coming on, so Taki [Minamino] did that incredibly well for us."
Iraola on Need for Wingers
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has been honest about needing to add more wingers to his squad after the earlier signing of Victor Munoz from Osasuna. "No, I think it is difficult to say a number when the market is open," Iraola said. "You have to be always open to new options to improve the squad. There are obvious situations where we need to sign players. A winger for example, we definitely need to sign a winger, but there are other situations where we will have to analyse what the market gives you, what is the cost, how we also see the players we have."
