Liverpool could make surprise move for 18-goal Premier League star – Opinion | OneFootball

Could Morgan Gibbs-White Become Liverpool’s Surprise Solution?

A Different Route After Missing Out on Diomande

Liverpool’s search for Mohamed Salah’s long-term successor appeared straightforward. The continual links and huge fees mentioned meant that the heir to the throne was almost over the line.

And then it wasn’t.

The expectation was that RB Leipzig sensation Diomande would arrive at Anfield to inherit one of the biggest roles in world football. Blessed with electrifying pace, devastating dribbling ability and an eye for goal, the young winger looked tailor-made to become Liverpool’s next superstar on the right flank. Some tremendous moments in the World Cup only whetted the appetite, as he showed glimpses of what Sadio Mane once delivered.

Now, however, that move appears to have collapsed.

Whether Liverpool revisits the deal remains to be seen, but if the reports are accurate, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes must quickly pivot to alternative solutions. I believe there is a long list of options and contingency plans for this summer.

X: @FabrizioRomano

Personally, my preferred option remains Bournemouth’s outstanding young winger, Rayan. The Brazilian has every attribute required to thrive under Andoni Iraola, and the relationship already established between player and manager makes enormous sense. The powerful forward could be moulded and transformed into something unique, and I would like to see both he and the main man of the piece recruited.

Unfortunately, that transfer still feels some way from becoming a realistic possibility.

That leaves Liverpool needing to think creatively. Perhaps the answer is not another natural right winger at all.

Florian Wirtz already looks destined to occupy the inside-left position where his creativity and intelligence can dictate attacks, as Cody Gakpo rotates or departs to allow the emergence of Rio Ngumoha. Rather than searching desperately for a direct Salah replacement, Liverpool could instead alter the shape of the forward line.

Dominik Szoboszlai possesses the athleticism, running power and technical quality to operate from the right-hand side, drifting inside to combine with a new and yet to be determined right back, while still allowing Liverpool’s next full-back to provide width.

If Szoboszlai were to make that positional switch, Liverpool could then focus their attention on recruiting an elite attacking midfielder capable of dominating the central areas behind the striker.

That profile may actually improve the overall balance of Iraola’s new team.

Morgan Gibbs-White Could Be the Missing Piece

One name immediately comes to mind.

Morgan Gibbs-White.

Photo: IMAGO

With Oliver Glasner now confirmed as Nottingham Forest manager, there will naturally be fresh optimism surrounding the City Ground. However, Liverpool should still explore whether Gibbs-White’s long-term ambitions align with remaining at Forest or taking the next step in his career.

Last summer, he appeared destined for Tottenham Hotspur before that proposed move ultimately collapsed. A new contract followed, and while its exact details remain private, it would be no surprise if an updated release clause was included to facilitate a future move under the right circumstances.

Should that figure sit somewhere around the £70 million mark, Liverpool should seriously consider activating it as the 26-year-old enters the prime of his career.

Gibbs-White has developed into one of the Premier League’s most complete attacking midfielders.

He scores goals, with 18 goals across all competitions last seaso. He creates chances. He presses relentlessly.

He covers enormous distances without the ball and leads by example every single week.

Those qualities perfectly mirror everything Andoni Iraola demands from the players operating behind his centre-forward.

Perhaps most importantly, Gibbs-White offers tremendous intensity during defensive transitions. Modern football is increasingly won by the teams that recover possession quickest after losing it, and Liverpool lacked that aggression throughout much of last season.

Adding Gibbs-White would immediately address that weakness.

He also possesses the personality required to thrive at Anfield. Vocal, confident and endlessly competitive, he never hides during difficult moments and consistently drags his teammates forward through sheer determination.

Many believed he should have travelled with England to the ongoing World Cup, and his omission only highlights how competitive that national squad has become rather than diminishing his quality.

If Liverpool also strengthen the double pivot with at least one powerful defensive midfielder capable of protecting the back four, suddenly the midfield triangle begins to look incredibly well balanced.

Energy.

Leadership.

Goals.

Creativity.

Intensity.

Those are the qualities Liverpool need to rediscover under Iraola.

Morgan Gibbs-White may not replace Mohamed Salah directly, but he could help transform Liverpool into a far more complete team than simply searching for another right winger ever could.