Andoni Iraola is planning to deploy a rotating four-man attack at Liverpool next season to avoid overworking players and address a lack of pace and goalscoring threat on the wings that cost the Reds last campaign. According to The Athletic, Iraola's main objective is to have four wide players of the highest quality so he can share the burden among several attackers.
Liverpool's Wing Woes and Transfer Plans
The Reds are keen to ensure they do not rely on certain players under Iraola. A lack of pace and goalscoring threat on the wings cost Liverpool last season, and the plan is to rectify that issue. There have been rumours regarding approaches for Cody Gakpo, but no confirmed bids have been reported. His contribution next season, following the addition of Victor Munoz, will offer the Reds more of a threat on the wings.
Rio Ngumoha's Breakthrough Season
On the other side, Rio Ngumoha had a successful breakthrough season under Arne Slot last campaign. The teenager will forever remember his Premier League debut when he scored a dramatic late winner against Newcastle aged just 16 years and 361 days early last season. No other player aged 17 and under played more first-team minutes for their club last season, with Ngumoha clocking up 952 in all competitions. For comparison, Arsenal's wonderkid Max Dowman was next on the list with 477 minutes, followed by Brighton's Harry Howell with 260.
It was reported earlier this month that Bayern Munich were interested in signing the youngster, but Liverpool made it clear he was not for sale. Sky Sport Germany had claimed there had been productive talks between Bayern boss Vincent Kompany and Ngumoha's agents, but the Reds immediately squashed the claim. Now, Liverpool are keen to tie Ngumoha down on a long-term contract when he turns 18 in August, with the idea of him having an even bigger role in the squad next season under Iraola.
Yan Diomande Target
The teenager won't have to do it all alone, though, as the Reds continue their heavy pursuit of RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old has been lighting it up with the Ivory Coast at the World Cup and has long been a target for the Anfield hierarchy. The Reds have offered a tentative £86m to Leipzig, but the Bundesliga side are only willing to sanction his sale for around £112m. Given that the German outfit paid just £17m for the right-winger last summer, his trajectory is only expected to increase dramatically in the future.
Liverpool face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Diomande's signature, but there is a chance the clubs could meet in the middle on a fee of around £100m. Should the deal between the Reds and Leipzig go through, Iraola will have gained the four-man attack he desires to take on the Premier League next season.
