Liverpool are in a transition period under manager Andoni Iraola, who has helped the club to remain competitive in the Premier League and in the UEFA Champions League so far this season.
But holes remain in the Liverpool squad, especially in defence, as the Reds have failed to bring in a suitable replacement after the departure of club legend Andrew Robertson.
During the summer transfer window, the Reds signed Jeremy Jacquet from Stade de Rennes and brought Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona, but these arrivals were meant to facilitate Ibrahima Konate’s departure and add depth at centre-back.
At the left-back spot, Milos Kerkez remains the first-choice, while Konstantinos Tsimikas and Luke Chambers are available as backup options to boss Iraola.
Both Kerkez and Tsimikas are yet to make an impact in the first-team, and it has been suggested that Liverpool are seeking to sign a new left-back in the upcoming winter transfer window to bolster their defence.
According to journalist Khadim Diakhate, Liverpool are interested in signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, who currently plays at fellow Premier League club Brentford in the January window.
However, Liverpool are not the only Premier League giant keen on Diouf’s signature, as Chelsea are also in the mix, despite signing Pep Chavarria in the last transfer window as a replacement for Marc Cucurella.
For Liverpool, El Hadji Malick Diouf is not the only left-back option on their wishlist, as the Reds are also tracking the development of Newcastle United star Lewis Hall, who could be tempted to leave St. James’ Park due to their recent on-field struggles.
Lewis Hall will not come cheap, but El Hadji Malick Diouf could be available on a lower transfer fee, as the Senegal international is yet to cement his place in the starting lineup under manager Keith Andrews.
Brentford signed El Hadji Malick Diouf from Championship side West Ham United last summer on a long-term deal, with an option for a further year, but as things stand, if he is unable to impress at Gtech Community Stadium, he could be sold for the right offer.
This term, the 21-year-old has made five Premier League appearances for the Bees, but he has only started one game, and in the majority of the matches, he comes off the bench in the last quarter.
El Hadji Malick Diouf is a versatile player who can play anywhere on the left-hand side of the pitch, both in defence and in attack, as he has been used as a left-back, left-midfielder, and at times as a left-winger at his previous clubs.
At Liverpool, boss Andoni Iraola’s system revolves around high-energy, aggressive, and vertical passes along the flanks, with the full-backs positioned high up the pitch to link up with the wingers and make overlapping runs inside the opposition box.
Diouf is 1.83m tall, left-footed, and possesses decent speed in his run up and down the flank as well as recovery press during opposition counterattacks, which could be beneficial for him in the event the Reds sign him in the winter transfer window.
The Senegal international could be a good fit for the Anfield outfit, but it remains to be seen whether Brentford will be willing to part ways with the defender whom they signed just a few months back to a fellow Premier League club.
At the moment, Liverpool will be focused on their next opponent, as they are due to face Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League, and will be looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat against Arsenal in the Premier League.
