Liverpool Targets Trincao for Post-Salah Frontline

Liverpool’s search for life after Mohamed Salah has taken another sharp turn – this time towards Lisbon.

Liverpool circle Trincao as Salah succession planning intensifies

Francisco Trincao, enjoying the most productive season of his career at Sporting CP, has emerged as a fresh target as Liverpool accelerate plans for a post-Salah frontline.

The 26-year-old has put together a compelling campaign in Portugal: 13 goals and 18 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. Those numbers, allied to his versatility on the right flank and in midfield, have pushed him firmly onto the radar at Anfield.

Portuguese outlet Record, relayed by Sport Witness, reports that Liverpool are now seriously interested in the former Barcelona winger as they prepare for a summer of major attacking surgery. Salah, out of contract in 2025 and repeatedly linked with a move away, sits at the heart of those plans. Replacing his output – and his aura – is the defining task of Liverpool’s next window.

Trincao’s own coach, Rui Borges, has already hinted that a move could be on the cards at the end of the season, opening the door for clubs willing to pay for a wide forward entering his peak years.

Liverpool spent more than £450million last year reshaping the squad. The expectation inside the game is that they will go hard again, this time with the right wing as a priority. Trincao’s blend of creativity, work rate and tactical flexibility makes him a stylistic fit for a side that will soon fully bear Arne Slot’s imprint.

Diomande path blocked as Leipzig slam door

Liverpool’s pivot towards Trincao comes as another target, Yan Diomande, publicly nailed his colours to RB Leipzig.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding first season in Germany after arriving from CD Leganes last summer, attracting interest from both Liverpool and Manchester United. His form prompted speculation that a Premier League move could arrive sooner rather than later.

Diomande, though, moved quickly to cool the noise. Asked if he expects to still be at Leipzig for the 2026/27 campaign, he answered simply: “Yes.”

Pressed further by German publication Kicker about the ongoing rumours, he kept his stance firm.

“I’m not thinking about that right now,” he said. “I’m at Leipzig and I enjoy playing here. In the end, it’s always the statistics that count. It’s been a fantastic year for me.”

Inside Leipzig, the message is even stronger. Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff made it plain towards the end of last month that Diomande is off-limits this summer.

“I can say: If I were sporting director, I wouldn't sell this young player, who hasn't even completed a full season with us,” he insisted. “No matter what price is being asked. I believe he's a player who can still develop further, because he's still very young. And he can certainly become more expensive.”

He underlined the club’s stance by pointing to Leipzig’s growing power to keep their stars.

“Of course, there are other clubs where players also want to take the next step – FC Bayern is one of them, but also clubs from England and Spain,” he said. “But we have to expect that a player, even if he delivers outstanding performances here, doesn't leave again after just one year.

“Therefore, I can only recommend to the management that they keep this player with us for the coming season. And then we'll have to see how he develops.”

Champions League football, Mintzlaff argued, strengthens their hand.

“We want to play in the Champions League. And that's naturally an argument for such a young player, to then deliver what he's shown in a second season and potentially develop further – also at an international level.

“So we have many good arguments. And the best argument is a long-term contract. Therefore, I'm completely relaxed about the whole matter.”

With Diomande effectively ring-fenced and content in Leipzig, Liverpool’s recruitment team have been forced to look elsewhere. Trincao, thriving in Lisbon and seemingly open to a new challenge, now sits in that space.

The question is no longer whether Liverpool will reshape their attack this summer. It’s who will be trusted to step into the void Salah leaves behind – and whether a winger reborn in Portugal can carry the weight of that responsibility at Anfield.