Liverpool are looking to the future by assessing their options to replace Mohamed Salah’s huge influence in the team and now, Jurgen Klopp has set his sights on Donyell Malen, according to SPORT BILD.
The Reds are enjoying an exciting and positive start to their 2023/24 campaign after not only adding a number of new players into the squad but also letting go of some of the biggest influences on the pitch over the last decade.
Former club captain Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all ended their long-standing tenures at Anfield this summer, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo joined to spark a new era for the six-time Champions League winners.
Thankfully, the three new midfield signings have completely transformed the performances compared to what supporters had to endure last season, which is a testament to the Merseyside giants’ scouting and recruitment teams and so far the changes have been revolutionary in the centre of the pitch.
Having said that, there has been a long-term concern about how Liverpool will be able to move on from one of the club’s best-ever players, with Salah absolutely imperative to every single trophy, every single success and almost every single attacking opportunity over the last half a decade.
As a result, it will come as no surprise that Liverpool are assessing their options when it comes to replacing and adding back-up in the right winger role, with the Egyptian winger set to be out of contract in 2025 and turning 32 years old next summer.
It was reported by German news outlet SPORT BILD last night that Klopp is setting his sights on a young right-sided winger from his former club Borussia Dortmund, with Malen seen as a potential replacement and back-up option to eventually succeed Salah.
Our verdict on Liverpool’s interest in Donyell Malen…
There is no doubt that finding strong competition for Salah’s position would be massively advantageous for Liverpool in their pursuit to ensure there is not a huge drop off in progression in both domestic competition and on the European stage, as the legendary winger comes to the latter stages of both his contract and career.
Malen has been in outstanding form so far this season across all competitions with four goals and two assists over seven appearances, with a goal contribution every 88 minutes so far, which is an impressive output for the former Arsenal academy star who joined the German club from PSV Eindhoven back in 2021, recruited as the successor for Jadon Sancho.
Not only that, the 24-year-old ranks in the top 20% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues over the last 12 months for non-penalty goals, shots on goal, assists and successful take-ons, as per FBref.
Liverpool have had huge success in recent years when recruiting Netherlands natives with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and newly-signed Ryan Gravenberch all key players for the Dutch national team and huge influences at Anfield, so Malen would be in incredible company with his international peers.
The versatile forward has been the recipient of high praise over his career so far and back in 2021 when Liverpool were previously linked to the player, former England and Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider:
“I think he was great when he played in the Euros.”
“When he came into the team he really stretched defences with his pace. He’s super quick.
“Malen is a player that I really like. He can play across the front line and is a real threat. He can score and create goals.
“The Premier League is a very attractive proposition for players. His style of play would suit one of the high press, attacking teams in the Premier League.”
With that being said, the signing of Malen would be a great addition to the attacking threat at Anfield despite a huge pool of talent already occupying the squad, and could be a great potential successor for Salah in the future.