Adama Traore could solve Liverpool's AFCON headache for £18m

Adama Traore could be a solution to Liverpool's African Cup of Nations nightmare as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will already have their bags packed ahead of kick-off against Chelsea.

The two forwards are representing Senegal and Egypt at AFCON respectively and will be a huge loss for the Reds this month amid a bad run of form for Jurgen Klopp's side.

A mixture of COVID-19 and injuries has disrupted what was an exhilarating run of games from Liverpool and now the wheels are threatening to come off.

Adama Traore is available for just £18million and ticks all the boxes

Now, nobody is saying the Wolves forward can come in and provide the goalscoring impetus that Mane and Salah do but he could be a machine in Liverpool's counter-pressing system.

According to Football Insider, Wolves are willing to sell Traore for just £18m which is £32m less than what they were demanding in the summer when they placed a £50m price tag on his head.

Traore is only 25, is (probably) the fastest player in the Premier League, has the physicality and endurance to press and counter-press and I truly believe that Jurgen Klopp can get more attacking output from him.

He hasn't scored or assisted at all this season, only got 3 goals and 3 assists last season but in 2019/20, Traore had 6 goals and 12 assists.

Klopp previously spoke about the Spaniard, saying: "He is unplayable in moments, it’s unbelievable. What a player – it’s not only him but he’s so good."

The Wolves star would be a great impact player for Liverpool

Traore doesn't need to be a player that can score 20+ goals for the Reds if he is willing to accept a squad role at the club.

Introducing him from the bench after the 65th minute against tired legs at right-wing and moving Mo Salah into a central role would ideal.

Signing someone like Raphinha would be preferable but Leeds United wanted £60m for the Brazilian in the summer and while Bayern Munich may not have agreed a €50m (£42m) deal to sign him, FSG often pause when considering this kind of deal.

He's the type of attacker Liverpool need in reserve to compete with Manchester City who have Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez and even signed Jack Grealish for £100m in the summer.