Here we go, Michael Edwards can complete genius Liverpool transfer | OneFootball

Michael Edwards' Liverpool summer plans are now set to become even more complicated, with Hugo Ekitike expected to be sidelined for close to nine months through injury.

Losing the French forward against PSG was easily the most painful moment of the evening, even more so than the 2–0 defeat itself.

Of course, Champions League elimination is always difficult to take, but this time it felt somewhat inevitable.

Under Arne Slot, this Liverpool side has not yet developed into a truly formidable force, and PSG underlined that reality with a dominant 4–0 aggregate victory.

Ekitike, arguably Liverpool’s standout signing of the summer and a central figure in this new-look team, now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His absence represents a significant setback, both in terms of quality and momentum.

What makes it even more troubling is the severity of the injury. An Achilles rupture is notoriously difficult to recover from, and there’s a real possibility Liverpool may not see him return to action until 2027. The prospect of losing such a key player for that long is a huge blow - one that could heavily impact the club’s immediate future.

Which is why Ekitike's injury was worse than the result itself.

It means that, on top of replacing Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah, Richard Hughes and Edwards must now also address the gap left by Ekitike with a short-term solution.

Liverpool simply cannot afford to rely on Alexander Isak as their only recognised striker. Another number nine is essential, and right now the depth in that position just isn’t strong enough.

Federico Chiesa is expected to depart this summer, further weakening the attacking options. Jayden Danns, while promising, has struggled with injuries and can’t yet be depended on consistently.

As a result, Liverpool will have no choice but to enter the transfer market, and there’s a clear profile they should be targeting. A young striker with a proven track record, someone who has already delivered at the highest level and shown they can handle the pressure at a major club.

Importantly, circumstances suggest he could be available this summer, making him an opportunity Liverpool can’t ignore.

Edwards, who is now working under FSG as the CEO of Football Operations, has been under fire recently.

Liverpool spent £450m in the summer and that was done under Edwards' supervision. A lot of fans have been quick to cast judgements on the massive investment - but this is wrong.

Transfers need at least two to three years to be properly judged - just as rebuilds take time. Rome was not built in a day and neither will Liverpool rise from the ashes within a day either.

But some fans are right to point out that perhaps Edwards needs to go back to his old ways.

He needs to be the Edwards we came to love. The recruitment guru who was able to work together with his scouting and data department to find and unearth raw gems and the best possible players on the market.

When it comes to finding a striker who could replace Ekitike, at least temporarily, there is one obvious solution who is a very Edwards style signing - Bamba Dieng.

The 26-year-old forward plays for Lorient and he's a free agent this summer. Dieng is a striker in his prime and he's averaging a goal or assist every 77 minutes in Ligue 1 and the French Cup this season.

He's played for Marseille in the past, he's a key part of Senegal's national team. And he's still relatively young.

When it comes to value for money and output as well in front of goal, you don't get a better deal than that - Dieng is the perfect profile.