Liverpool dodge bullet after surprise transfer news emerges from Anfield

Liverpool dodge bullet after surprise transfer news emerges from Anfield If you look at the number of players that teams have been linked with, Liverpool have been one of the busiest in the Premier League. Everybody knows that the Reds need a fair few new players to be added to their ranks before they're ready to challenge for the title again this term. Indeed, the appointment of Andoni Iraola was certainly a step in the right direction but, without bringing some new faces through the Anfield doors, there's no way that things will get any better. The Reds were miles behind their title rivals last term and, since both of them have added starting players to their squads already, it feels like Liverpool are falling behind as we speak. However, since some of Liverpool's main targets have already been prised away by other teams, they've had to change course to their back-up signings. And, while this isn't usually an issue, for one of the Reds' back-up targets, it feels like the Anfield outfit may have actually dodged a bullet by not being able to sign him this summer. FC Koln are now confident of keeping Said El Mala in the Bundesliga One of the main areas that Liverpool need to strengthen is their attack. Even though Mohamed Salah is the only attacker who exited Anfield this summer , the fact that Richard Hughes didn't end up replacing Luis Diaz during the 2025-26 campaign means that the Reds have been left a little short at the front. That's why most of the attackers that Liverpool have been linked with this summer have been fairly versatile. Indeed, Victor Munoz has already been brought in but, if the Reds want to win the Premier League title, they need world-class players to be brought in. This is why the latest update from TEAMtalk about the future of Said El Mala feels like the Anfield outfit may have just dodged a bullet. "FC Koln are increasingly confident they will keep star winger Said El Mala at the club for at least another season, TEAMtalk understands," they wrote. "The 19-year-old German international has been the subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer, yet recent developments suggest he is set to remain at the RheinEnergie Stadion. "Interest from the Premier League was particularly strong earlier in the window. Brentford had agreed a fee of around €50million (£42.5m) with Koln, only for the deal to collapse when El Mala and his mother, who serves as his adviser, rejected the move at the final hurdle due to requests to take his brother, too. "Brighton & Hove Albion also cooled their interest, while Newcastle United and Liverpool have been interested without making firm progress. "There is more interest from around Europe but no fresh movement as of yet. "More recently, Borussia Dortmund have emerged as serious admirers. However, sources indicate that both El Mala and Koln are growing aligned on the player staying put." Liverpool have dodged a bullet by not signing Said El Mala this summer Even though El Mala is clearly a talented player with a bright future ahead of him, at the moment, he isn't what Liverpool need. Salah may not have been in the best run of form during his final campaign with the Reds but, he still managed to contribute to 22 goals across all competitions while playing almost exclusively as a right-winger. So, the fact that Liverpool were being linked with El Mala, who's a left-winger, made little sense. Indeed, he could have ended up being the long-term replacement for Diaz or even the replacement for Cody Gakpo but, with Munoz already being brought in and Gakpo no longer on the verge of an exit, the potential arrival of El Mala was a tad confusing. The German may have contributed to 18 goals across all competitions but, it still doesn't feel like he's ready to take that step up to the Premier League just yet. Of course, Liverpool do need new attackers but, Hughes and Iraola must also ensure that they're right for what the club needs, rather than just signing someone as they believe they're the next big thing.