Mohamed Salah’s departure this summer? Man, that was the most high-profile exit for Liverpool, and it left a gaping hole they haven’t quite filled yet. The Egyptian King still had a year on his contract, but after multiple fallouts with Arne Slot, he mutually agreed to terminate his deal, ending up at Trabzonspor. That move seemed wild on the surface, but given that passionate fanbase and Salah’s continued performance, it makes some sense. For Liverpool, though, it created a massive problem. They brought in Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz, but neither of those guys are natural right-wingers. That means, until January at the absolute earliest, Liverpool’s attacking lineup is going to have someone playing out of position, and for a team chasing the Premier League title, that’s just not gonna cut it.
The “Perfect” Successor Is Still Eyeing Anfield
Here’s the good news: the guy everyone thought was the perfect successor for Salah, Yankuba Minteh, still wants to join Liverpool. He was the most likely player to replace Salah, that out-and-out right-winger they desperately need. Sure, Federico Chiesa can play on the right if he has to, but it’s pretty clear he’s not exactly a key part of Andoni Iraola’s plans right now. If it wasn’t for an injury, Minteh would probably be wearing red right now, even if he would have cost Liverpool a ton of cash. Interest might have cooled a bit since then, but come January, the Gambian could be back on the market.
Why January is Crunch Time for Liverpool’s Attack
Gambian journalist Baboucarr Fallaboweh spilled the beans to Sports Witness, saying Minteh’s plans definitely include a move to Liverpool. “I think Liverpool. He will still want to go to Liverpool,” Fallaboweh stated. He noted that Minteh’s current injury hasn’t helped his situation or his chances to “showcase his performance why Liverpool were after him.” But don’t sleep on this kid. Fallaboweh also believes that even if Minteh moves, it won’t be outside the Premier League. Manchester United is even knocking on doors, which tells you how highly he’s rated. Being associated with Liverpool is a “big win” for Minteh and has put him on the radar of other major European clubs, especially since Brighton’s actual price for him is now known, making it easier for clubs to explore.
Liverpool needs a natural right-winger so bad, clubs are going to try to extort them with “extortionate amounts” for their players. That’s just how the game works. But with Minteh’s clear desire to join, and the fact that he was the original target, Liverpool has a real chance to fix their attack and get back on track for the title. Keep an eye on January, because that’s when this story is going to heat up and potentially change everything for their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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