Liverpool need to shelve the 2025/26 campaign and let it gather cobwebs. This has been a terrible and draining year for the Reds, but at least they sealed Champions League football on the final day, drawing 1-1 with Brentford.

Many Liverpool fans have turned on Arne Slot. The passing of Diogo Jota last summer contextualises much of the decline at Anfield, but Slot has to shoulder responsibility for failing to get even the slightest tune out of his players across the year.

Mohamed Salah has reached the end of his illustrious Liverpool career, now leaving for a new adventure. The 33-year-old has suffered, so far removed from the world-class level we have come to know and love over the years. His departure leaves a big, big hole on Merseyside.

Liverpool regressed, and they have not recovered form at all. It feels like that shaky winning run at the start of the term was as if the vestiges of last year's Premier League-winning quality were clinging on before the system was consumed by so many imbalances.

Change is needed.

How Liverpool plan to replace Salah

Liverpool will feel relieved that the campaign is over, but Salah, while horribly out of sorts this year, will take some replacing.

Injuries haven't helped, but Liverpool have lacked dynamism and athleticism in attacking areas, and the decision-makers at FSG now have a steep task on their hands in bringing the Anfield side back into the ascendancy.

But that's not to say they aren't working toward that goal.

As per recent sources, Liverpool have submitted what is described as a "mega" opening €120m (£103m) bid for RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande; the player is keen to stay in Germany and continue his development, but Anfield's persistence could see him make the big leap over to the Premier League.

Diomande is Liverpool's leading target to repalce Salah, but he's also on the radar of some of the club's biggest rivals, with Manchester United among the outfits to have made a recent approach, says Fabrizio Romano. Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the situation.

Why Diomande is perfect for Liverpool

Liverpool's wingplay has left a lot to be desired this season, but Rio Ngumoha has sprung up as a shining light, easily Liverpool's most exciting player.

The 17-year-old will hope to play an even bigger part next year, and given that he comes off the left, he could form an incredible partnership with Diomande, with journalist Bence Bocsak saying, "Whatever it costs, he’s a superstar. Worth every penny."

Diomande was playing on Leganes' fringes in La Liga last season, but he has now established himself as one of Europe's most dangerous up-and-coming forwards, devastating on the ball and with physicality and technical range.

The 19-year-old might even have a bigger stock than Ngumoha right now, but there's every chance that the duo could develop into a title-winning force under Slot's wing.

It's important to remember that Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title last year, his team feared across Europe. However, something integral has been missing from Liverpool's attack this year, with Salah and Cody Gakpo slow and laboured.

Diomande has been a lightning bolt down RB Leipzig's right side, completing 3.6 dribbles per Bundesliga match. That's absurdly high, and given that he has almost won six duels per game, he might just have the natural physicality to survive the intensity of the Premier League.

Liverpool could bounce back next season, strengthening their position considerably by signing a superstar-quality winger such as Diomande.

They already boast one of the division's most exciting talents in Ngumoha, and now they could restore balance to Slot's attacking line by signing Diomande.