Luis Diaz will leave big boots to fill when he completes a £65.5million move to Bayern Munich. The Colombian is in Germany putting the finishing touches on his Liverpool departure, having informed Anfield bosses that he wanted to leave despite playing an important role in last season’s Premier League title win.
Questions remain over whether Liverpool will wade into the market to sign a direct replacement for Diaz. They have already spent heavily on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, while club chiefs will want to keep some cash in reserve for Alexander Isak as the Swede tries to force his way out of Newcastle United.
With that in mind, The Athletic claim that Liverpool’s plan to replace Diaz involves promoting two in-house candidates. Cody Gakpo is the obvious choice to step up, with the Dutchman scoring 18 times in only 32 starts across all competitions last season.
Gakpo can play across the forward line but the left flank represents his best shot at regular minutes, with Mohamed Salah laying claim to the right-wing berth and Ekitike, or potentially Isak, ready to slot in up top.
The report adds that Liverpool wonderkid Rio Ngumoha will ‘provide added competition’ for Gakpo. The former Chelsea academy star is still only 16 but he will turn 17 next month, and he has already been given a taste of first-team action.
Reds fans anticipate a bright future for Ngumoha, who became the youngest starter in the club’s history when he lined up against Accrington Stanley in January.
“I think he showed the fans what we have seen when he has trained with us,” said Arne Slot after overseeing a 4-0 win. “It’s always nice for him to show this the first time you play [at Anfield] – getting a win for him means it’s a special day.”
The arrival of Ekitike will make Liverpool bosses even more confident that they can cope without signing a direct replacement for Diaz. The 23-year-old, who cost a hefty £79m, is a centre-forward by trade but he may have to make do with a role out wide if a move for Isak progresses.
Federico Chiesa would be another candidate to step in, but after spending the vast majority of last term on the fringes, he is keen to return to Serie A and seek out regular first-team football.