Evaluating Liverpool’s right-wing options this summer

In just a few weeks time, Mohamed Salah will call an end to his Liverpool career. In doing so, not only will a legend depart the club, but a huge gap on the right-hand side will appear, one that may see impossible to replace.

Though he has not shown it this season, Salah at his best (which was arguably last season) offered creativity and a ruthlessness in front of goal not many have ever offered the Premier League.

Who could fit the bill for Arne Slot? With the amount of other investments the Reds will like to make this summer, with reports suggesting they’d like to dip into the market for a deep-lying midfielder and another centre-half, it’s important whatever winger they move for is not only economical, but up to scratch.

The safe option- Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)

West Ham have endured another troublesome season, currently just four points clear of the relegation zone with four games to go. Yet again though, former Hull winger Jarrod Bowen has been a shining light, remaining one of the largest factors as to why the Hammers are still in the league (for now, at least).

For the sixth season in a row, he’s hit double figures for goal contributions in the Premier League, currently on 18, eight of which being goals. While not the paciest of players, Bowen’s energy and balance makes him a handful for any defender. Compound that with his excellent goal threat, and there’s a similar profile to Salah there.

The biggest draw back with Bowen is not only his affinity to the club and his contract that runs until 2030, but it’s also his age. At 29 years old, the Hereford-born lad is only a short-term option for the current champions, and would only be a stop-gap signing.

However, given the reasonable fee West Ham would likely demand- which may be even more discounted if they are relegated- and the lack of top-class quality available in the winger market at the minute, a stop-gap signing with guaranteed end product like Bowen wouldn’t be a bad signing at all.

The project player- Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)

Liverpool certainly haven’t been shy about their interest in Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. They’re no strangers to shopping in Leipzig, too, with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Naby Keita joining from the West German side in recent years.

The latest exciting prospect to come up with them is 19-year-old Yan Diomande. Purchased from Leganes last summer for just over £17 million, the Ivorian has exploded this season for Ole Werner’s side this season, so far notching 12 goals and seven assists for Die Roten Bullen.

With clear end product a part of his game so early in his career, Diomande is an exciting dribbler too, with electric pace and nimble frame that helps glide past defenders. Such qualities have helped draw comparisons to Antoine Semenyo in recent times.

At such a young age and Leipzig’s strong reputation for selling in the market, his fee would command €100 million to the club. Such a huge fee for a relatively unproven winger is a big risk. Furthermore, Bundesliga wingers rarely adapt to the Premier League well, with Jadon Sancho, Jamie Gittens and Moussa Diaby providing recent examples of exciting wingers that failed to make their mark in the league.

Should Diomande go on to be a world class player, Liverpool would surely regret letting such a player slip through the cracks, but if they take the risk at the moment, they get immediate youthful quality with a player with undeniable potential.

The wildcard- Rayan (Bournemouth)

In January, Bournemouth took a big punt on Vasco de Gama winger Rayan for £24.7 million. That’s an investment that has quickly been returned, with the young Brazilian helping Bournemouth to remain firmly in contention for those valuable European places with just four games to go.

After breaking through at Cruzmaltino, the same club that produced such talents as Romário, Philippe Coutinho and Douglas Luiz, the 19-year-old has notched five goal contributions in 11 games so far in his Cherries career. With a clear technical gift and the classic Brazilian flair that excites any football fan, Rayan clearly has a bright future ahead of him.

While remaining relatively unproven in England so far, similarly to Diomande, Rayan could go on to be a huge star in world football that Liverpool may feel they won’t want to miss out on. Through Richard Hughes, they can continue to use that strong relationship with Bournemouth to achieve a fair deal, as seen last summer through left-back Milos Kerkez.

The unrealistic- Michael Olise

In July 2024, Bayern Munich payed £50.8 million for French winger Michael Olise. With the player he’s become, Palace would have wished they bartered for more perhaps, given his eye-watering form and €140 million market value. The former Reading man has been simply sensational in Germany, and after recently wrapping up another Bundesliga title win and still involved in the Champions League after a thrilling 5-4 loss to PSG, he is surely having the time of his life there.

Olise has bagged 49 goal involvements in 47 games, part of arguably the best front three in world football alongside Harry Kane and Luis Diaz. With all considered, it begs the question: why would he ever leave Bayern?

Take away the premium price Liverpool would have to pay, Bayern would inevitably be in no position to sell the 24-year-old, and it would be hard to see why he’d want to leave such a lucrative project for Liverpool’s slightly shaky one at the moment.

It seems almost certain that there is no chance Michael Olise would leave Bayern this summer, if at all during these next few years.

Thumbnail credit: Werner100359 via Wikimedia Commons