Richard Hughes can't miss out on deal for £80m Firmino 2.0 | OneFootball

Roberto Firmino will forever be a Liverpool legend.

The Brazilian may not have scored as many goals as Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane but, the creativity he brought to the starting XI was second to none.

Firmino was one of the key cogs which made Jurgen Klopp's system work and, without him in between Salah and Mane, the Reds would've been nowhere near as good.

Since the Brazilian's departure, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo have been tasked with filling the void he left behind.

While there has been the odd occasion when the aforementioned duo lived up to Firmino's name, the Reds still haven't properly replaced him.

Most fans thought that Florian Wirtz would become their new creative spark but in reality, it's clear that another creative attacker still needs to be brought in if Liverpool want to become the best team in England once again.

And, now that the summer transfer window is just around the corner, Richard Hughes has uncovered someone who could be just as good, if not better than Firmino for the Anfield outfit.

Liverpool could look at signing Morgan Rogers in the summer

Now that Salah is going to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, one of Hughes' main objectives will be to source his replacement.

Obviously, with how good the Egyptian King is, that's going to be a challenge but several players such as Yan Diomande and Michael Olise have been linked with a potential move to fill the gap.

However, if the 2025-26 season has proven anything to Arne Slot and co. it's that they need more than one back-up for each position, no matter what.

And, since the Reds' creativity has been massively lacking this term, it makes sense for them to be looking for a more centralised attacker, especially since Wirtz seems to perform better on the left-wing.

With this in mind, journalist Ben Jacobs has shared an insight into Liverpool's plans with Morgan Rogers now finding himself on their shortlist.

"Liverpool could sign two wingers this summer," he wrote via his personal X account.

"On the right, finding a Mo Salah successor is something #LFC have been planning for long before negotiating an exit package allowing the Egyptian to leave on a free.

"New left-winger on the club's radar since Luis Diaz departed for Bayern.

"Leipzig's Yan Diomande is one target, and a player high in Manchester United and Bayern's thinking as well. Leipzig value the winger at €100m, but suitors feel that price will drop this summer.

"Appreciation for Michael Olise but Bayern are not planning a sale.

"PSG also working on extending Bradley Barcola and in no mood to entertain offers. Same for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has been linked with Arsenal.

"Liverpool have historical interest in Anthony Gordon having almost signed him in summer 2024.

"Sources downplay interest in Francisco Conceição despite reports.

"A more central creative attacker could also be considered, especially if capable of operating in wide areas as well.

"Liverpool are one of the clubs who appreciate Morgan Rodgers, with an exit possible this summer despite an extension last year."

Morgan Rogers could be Liverpool's next Roberto Firmino

Slot's new system may not include inverted wingers like Klopp's did but, the fact that he's invested heavily into two world-class strikers proves that he has a more centralised system in mind.

And, while Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai could become the Reds' creative sparks, Rogers would give that little bit of extra firepower that Liverpool clearly need.

Indeed, his start to the season was fairly slow with many questioning whether his best days were already behind him.

However, he now finds himself with 17 goal contributions to his name and has quickly become one of Unai Emery's most important players.

Rogers obviously thrives when used centrally but, if anything changes or injuries force Slot into making substitutions, the fact that the Englishman can play anywhere across the front three is a massive bonus.

The fact that Rogers isn't a proper number nine also helps him massively as, in Slot's new system, most of Liverpool's chances are created from their midfield which is where the 23-year-old thrives.

Rogers could end up costing around £80 million to prise away from Villa Park but, with the form he's shown over the last couple of months, it feels like he could be a much better investment than someone such as Diomande who is unproven in the Premier League.

There are a lot of questions that need to be answered ahead of the summer transfer window but, if Liverpool manage to sign Rogers, it'll be a major statement of intent.