The summer transfer window is shaping up to be an interesting one and if the stars align, Liverpool could be well-placed to sign Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe.
Maybe it’s due to the international break and the inevitable rumour mill that begins but it seems as though all anyone on social media can talk about is who will land the top young stars this summer.
There are several top sides in need of a new number nine, with Liverpool and Manchester City both in need of a killer striker.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 02: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City hugs Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on July 02, 2020 in Manchester, England. PHOTO BY VICTORIA HAYDN/MANCHESTER CITY FC VIA GETTY IMAGES.
On the 23rd of March, the Sunday Times’ Duncan Castles claimed on his Transfer Window Podcast that PSG would be interested in Mohamed Salah if Kylian Mbappe were to leave the Ligue 1 side.
Liverpool would love to sign Mbappe but any desire they have of signing him hinges on whether or not the Premier League Champions finish inside the top four as a disastrous start to 2021 sees them two points off fourth place.
If the French forward doesn’t end up moving to Anfield, Erling Haaland is the obvious second choice and with Football Insider claiming Borussia Dortmund are ‘keeping tabs’ on Divock Origi, it seems as though the summer transfer window could see a very interesting game of dominos unfold.
It’s easy to see why Mbappe and Haaland are so highly thought of by Klopp.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 16: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain poses for a photo with the match ball and the player of the match award after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. PHOTO BY ALEX CAPARROS – UEFA/UEFA VIA GETTY IMAGES.
The Frenchman has 39 goals and assists for PSG this season while the Norwegian has 41 direct goal contributions for Borussia Dortmund.
Only Mohamed Salah comes close to these numbers for Liverpool and even then, the Egyptian has only contributed to a goal 29 times this season.
While most Liverpool fans would love to see one of Mbappe or Haaland sign for the club this summer, they also wouldn’t want it to be at Salah’s expense.
The ideal scenario would be to have Salah and Mane on the wings with one of Mbappe or Haaland down the middle.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 09: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates the win and his Man Of The Match trophy after the final whistle during the Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla FC at the Signal Iduna Park on March 09, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. PHOTO BY ALEXANDRE SIMOES/BORUSSIA DORTMUND VIA GETTY IMAGES.
This would mean Klopp would have Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota as his bench options and this would rival Manchester City’s ability to rotate in forward positions.
Liverpool’s attacking fluency has disappeared this season, with just 48 goals scored in the Premier League – 18 fewer than the Reds had scored up until the 29th Gamweek last season.
Signing one of Mbappe or Haaland would greatly increase Liverpool’s ability to challenge for the Premier League title once again.
