Liverpool are planning to sign an “electric” replacement for Salah worth £25m

Sometimes a score in football changes the mood dramatically. Some might point to the past six months. Others might counter the evidence Arne Slott‘s incredible start to life at the forefront, sending Liverpool to the driver’s seat for the two biggest prizes.

But football doesn’t work like that. Tottenham Hotspur beat Liverpool on Wednesday night and they beat them soundly. So what, Lucas Bergvall’s goal made possible a controversial refereeing that becomes the main thing in this match, in this stadium.

The fact is that Liverpool looked leggy and exhausted, with Sloto’s mastermind failing this time, perhaps due to a lack of rotation in a campaign that is now catching up with a side that has been working at full throttle and defying expectations in the process.

In press briefings following Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat – a 1-0 defeat that still leaves the Reds with a strong chance of overturning the deficit and going into the final stage – Slott insisted he was confident in the quality of his squad and was not actively looking for signings this month.

It’s a boring and expected answer from a Premier League manager, but it’s one that Slot should have made, because Liverpool will only act if the perfect opportunity presents itself.

Did that dream opportunity present itself?

Liverpool were tempted to seal Jan’s fantastic signing

According to Football InsiderLiverpool have been informed that an offer worth around £25m would be enough to convince Bayern Munich to part with Leroy Sane this winter.

Sane is out of contract at the end of the season and has been in protracted talks over an extension, but could return to the Premier League with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United interested.

The winger will turn 29 in a few days and therefore would not be a typical FSG signing, but he is durable, athletically built and sharp and could be a unique opportunity to complete Slot’s first line.

Sane has previously confirmed that he will not prioritize deals with other clubs this month, but as January progresses, suitors like Liverpool are growing in confidence.

What would Leroy Sane bring to Liverpool

Liverpool played against the background Jurgen Kloppshock departure this season, with many expecting Anfield to fall like so many other giants at the end of a dynasty.

But they didn’t. Liverpool are top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, firm favorites at home and confident on the continent as they prepare for the knockout rounds.

Sane is a proven winner on English shores, gifted with the technical and physical attributes that could make him another member of Liverpool’s exciting attack. Indeed, it already is scored four goals against Klopp’s Reds from just five matches in the Premier League.

Although he has been in and out of the starting line-up under Vincent Kompany this year, Sane reiterated his status as one of Europe’s best wingers last season, producing performances that show more well-roundedness than, say, Mohamed Salah.

That’s not to say he’s on the level of the Egyptian sensation, but it would bring something a little different to Slott’s system. Salah was flattered to cheat as Liverpool were beaten by Spurs, peripheral and unsuccessful in his efforts, going wide with both shots, failing one attempted dribble and producing just one key pass, according to Sofascore.

Sane – who was Gary Neville called it “electric”. – it could even be a good compliment for Salah’s successor, as he is a player who can function in the 32-year-old’s position and provide Liverpool with an extra level of quality to get things going in multiple positions.

He certainly has the makings for it, with the new one This is what English coach Thomas Tuchel said the talent of his countryman:

With Federico Chiesa’s lack of fitness and fluidity in Liverpool’s system, a player like Sane could have been perfect for that game, extending the scope of Liverpool’s front line and adding that last bit of quality for games like the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Sane actually ranks in the top 14% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and top 10% for progressive passes per 90, according to FBrefhighlighting the mechanics that speak to his suitability at Liverpool.

After all, the number crunching site reveals that it’s Liverpool’s Luis Diaz is the most similar player of the German national team.

This 27-year-old is one of the biggest winners from the manager’s stick last summer, scored 12 goals and three assists of 26 games for Liverpool this season, receiver compliments of correspondent James Pearce because Slot “raised the Colombian’s game to a higher level.”

Diaz is not old, but he is no spring chicken, but this proves that Sane could return to English football and discover the latent qualities that would mold him into a brilliant and integral part of Liverpool’s first line.

Liverpool are not ill-equipped in their fight for silverware, but the fact remains that few – if anyone – predicted such significant progress in Slott’s first season.

There was general frustration as the Reds fans streamed out of N17 like winter rain, but it’s still only half time against the Lilywhites.

It’s only halfway through the campaign, to be honest, and Liverpool must act to give their side the best chance of reaching the Grand Slam. Salah may be the best player in the world right now, but Sane could add another dimension.