Most assists in Portugal: Liverpool have opened talks to sign the next Luis Diaz

It’s the end of an era at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s superstars have trickled out over the past several years, but Mohamed Salah‘s summer exit on a free transfer feels like the watershed moment that will signal a new chapter at Anfield.

The Egyptian King has not enjoyed his final season, it has not befit a figure of his legendary status. And yet, history will be kind to Salah down Anfield Road, the man who put Liverpool back on their perch, won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, more.

But Salah is now 33 years old. He’s lost a yard and his pop in key attacking moments. His return in the league this season reflects that, as do his underlying metrics, winning only 24% of his dribbles and 29% of his duels.

It’s probably the right time for him to move on, but Liverpool cannot afford a repeat of last year’s Luis Diaz blunder, selling the Colombian winger to Bayern Munich for £65.6m but failing to adequately replace him.

Liverpool’s plan to replace Mo Salah

Sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG’s Head of Football, Michael Edwards, are ready to put Liverpool’s problems to rights this summer.

In order to achieve this, Slot has to be handed sufficient attacking quality to return to the forefront of domestic and European football.

Salah will return before the end of the campaign, but he will not be around next year, and while the Reds have earmarked a number of targets, such as the unlikely Michael Olise and RB Leipzig up-and-comer Yan Diomande, FSG often like to walk down the less-trodden path.

According to Anfield Index, that road may lead them to Sporting CP’s Francisco Trincao is on FSG’s radar ahead of the summer window. In fact, serious enquiries have been made for the Portugal international, suggesting that talks have already been held.

The 26-year-old Trincao signed a new contract last month, but that deal contains a €60m (equating to £52m) release clause that has piqued Liverpool’s interest.

Why Trincao would be Liverpool’s new Diaz

Trincao has ebbed and flowed throughout his career, joining Barcelona in 2020 but failing to make the grade. However, like many before him, he has found a home in Portugal and built himself up. Elite outfits have lined up.

Should Liverpool sign him, it would echo the move made for Diaz back in January 2022, signing Porto’s focal winger for £37.5m in January 2022.

Diaz secured silverware for Liverpool over his three-and-a-half years in England, but, aged 28, he was sold last summer as efforts to renew his contract fell flat.

Now, Trincao could repeat the trick; having registered 30 goal involvements in all competitions this season, ranking joint-top of Liga Portugal with regard to assists (11), alongside Estoril’s Joao Carvalho.

Trincao, after all, has gone punch for punch with bigger names in the Champions League this season, scoring four goals and supplying three assists and also creating with crisp regularity.

Once hailed by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers for his “unbelievable” potential while cutting his teeth at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Trincao now has the sure-footed skill to thrive in the Premier League. Out in Europe, he has won 4.2 duels per game while completing 62% of his dribbles.

In that, he shares a combativeness and forward-thinking approach that offers shades of Diaz in his Liverpool prime. At Bayern, the 29-year-old has formed a part of a devastating frontline, but his departure from Merseyside has left a gaping hole in Slot’s squad that needs to be filled.

Typically playing off the right, Trincao would basically replace Salah, but his fleet-footedness and ability to balance out his goals and assists would allow him to develop into a Diaz-esque talent, instead of mimicking Liverpool’s almighty Egyptian.

While Trincao isn’t the name on fans’ lips, Liverpool have seen something they like in the Portuguese playmaker, and he might just play a role in a title-challenging team next year.