It’s clear which West Ham player could eventually end up at Liverpool after summer flirtations
Liverpool arguably made the wrong decision when looking to resolve a growing situation at left-back over the summer.
Few argued with the choice to sign Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth at the time, but it has since proven to be a questionable one.
Kerkez has struggled to make the step up to Liverpool, leaving fans to question whether they may need something different moving forward.
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Andy Robertson is still at the club, of course, but the Scot’s contract expires at the end of the season. As Liverpool ponder which of the two players is the regular first choice in the here and now, they could well need another new addition in 2026.
If they decide to go down the route of another signing, West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf could be one to watch. Liverpool face the Hammers on Sunday, and fans should pay extra attention to how their left-back is performing.
El Hadji Malick Diouf’s story with Liverpool may not be over
Liverpool were linked with a move for Diouf last January after a breakthrough campaign with Slavia Prague.
Slavia’s chairman publicly admitted that he would sell Diouf to Liverpool if they came in, but the Reds ultimately decided against it.
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The Senegal international joined West Ham instead and has since gone on to prove what a talent he is.
Nailing down a spot in the Hammers’ defence, Diouf has started 11 of their 12 Premier League matches, so far providing three assists.
Pacy, solid and a threat going forward, it’s easy to see how the 20-year-old could have been a hit at Liverpool as well.
As he is a similar age to Kerkez, it may be that Diouf’s train to Anfield has passed him by. But with the Hungarian struggling to catch fire, we’d still keep an eye on the Hammers defender as a potential future addition.
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Are there any other West Ham players to watch?
As far as squad’s go, West Ham’s is one of the least inspiring currently in the Premier League.
Diouf has added a sprinkling of pace and excitement to that, and there are established performers such as Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta who are always liable to impress.
But in terms of any future transfer interest for Liverpool, Diouf is the only one who looks capable of making any sort of impression.
Crysensio Summerville was a reported Liverpool target in the summer of 2024, but the links ultimately came to nothing.
With Summerville looking set to be injured once again, Reds should keep half an eye on Diouf and no one else as they aim to put right their horrendous form.
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