Sky Sports: Liverpool to open talks with forward and "could possibly lose Mohamed Salah"

Sky Sports Germany claim that with Borussia Dortmund interested in Donyell Malen, Liverpool are expected to make an approach because they "could possibly lose Mohamed Salah."

The Dutchman, in my opinion, should be a target for the Reds but as a replacement for Divock Origi - NOT Salah.

Roberto Firmino needs healthy competition to reach the heights that Jurgen Klopp knows the Brazilian can hit and Malen is someone that can either push him to his silky best or take his place in the starting lineup.

What does Sky Sports Germany say?

To quote them verbatim: "Donyell Malen could be a possible successor to Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund.

"Now Sky Transfer expert Max Bielefeld took up the topic in Transfer Update: "He is still a candidate, we also discussed it more often.

"However, there is a catch: Liverpool FC should also hold talks. Because the Reds could possibly lose Mohamed Salah."

On one hand, it makes perfect sense that Malen would be linked with Liverpool given their need for a new attacker but on the other, hand there is no chance that Mohamed Salah will leave the club this summer.

Liverpool's ideal attacking setup

First off, let's just clarify Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future. Anfield Central understands that the Egyptian will be offered a contract and that despite the club's delay in doing so, he is vital to Jurgen Klopp's plans for next season.

The Egyptian, who turned 29 on Tuesday, scored 22 Premier League goals this season and only Harry Kane scored more which should highlight Salah's importance to Liverpool and his status as one of the best players in England.

He's going nowhere.

As for Malen, with 27 goals and 10 assists, the ability to play anywhere across the front three and rapid piece, he is the perfect player for Liverpool to target. Much like Patson Daka, he would fit in at Anfield very well.

Adding one of the two while selling Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi would be good and I'd argue that if the two Liverpool players leave, a second attacker would be needed.

AFCON complicates Liverpool's summer plans

In January, Liverpool will, in all likelihood, lose Salah and Sadio Mane as both Senegal and Egypt have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations which is set to be hosted by Cameroon and leaves Klopp with a dilemma.

If he signs just one attacker, he will have Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and whoever arrives as his only options although he could use Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and as we covered yesterday, the Englishman could do a job as a false-nine.

The issue then would be that Klopp would likely need to field Jota on the left, Firmino down the middle and Chamberlain on the right and the former Arsenal star hasn't had much luck in that role for Liverpool.

One thing is certain, however, Salah is going nowhere.