Liverpool FC has officially contacted AS Monaco concerning their French right winger, Maghnes Akliouche. This was reported by Sky Sports on 22 July, 2026, as the club has been in pursuit of a right winger to replace Mohammed Salah, who departed the club at the end of the 2025/2026 season.
The 24 years old right winger has also been reportedly contacted by the French side Paris Saint-Germain, who have reportedly made three (3) bids for the winger. Akliouche is technical and would fit perfectly into Andoni Iraola’s playing style, but the question remains why he is so highly rated;
Quick Facts About Maghnes Akliouche
Full Name: Maghnes Akliouche
Date of birth: 25 February 2002 (24 years)
Place of birth: Tremblay-en-France
Height: 183 cm (6 ft)
Preferred foot: Left
Position: Ring Winger/ attacking midfielder
Current Club: AS Monaco
Shirt Number: 11
Nationality: France (Algerian heriatge)
Contract expiration: June 2028
Estimated Value: €50.00m
Why Liverpool Are Interested in the Frenchman
During Andoni Iraola’s first press conference as Liverpool’s head coach, he made strong claims of needing more players, especially for the right wing position to strengthen the squad, and with Mohammed Salah gone, there is a void on the right wing that needs an instant replacement.
Akliouche fits the profile specifically as he is left-footed and plays from the right wing, which means he will naturally cut into his stronger foot during attack, the same style of play used by Salah during his time at the club.
The good aspect of his transfer is that he will blend with Liverpool’s right-back players, who are more attacking minded, the likes of Conor Bradley, who is good at making underlapping runs, while Jeremie Frimpong is good at making overlapping runs.
Matching this with the left wing, where Liverpool have more direct attackers, the likes of Rio Ngumoha and the newly signed Victor Munoz. To configure a perfect team, another profile of a player from the right wing should be able to hold the pulse of the game while the right back does the attacking, just like Bayern Munich’s play style.
Akliouche is a good dribbler and very close to Michael Olise, but does not have the acceleration qualities like Mohammed Salah. What he can comfortably offer the Reds is elite game intelligence, which is why he can also play from the attacking midfield position. He will make a fine pair with Frimpong, using his pace as an advantage.
What kind of Player is Akliouche
The 24 year old right winger is generally exciting to watch, as he is the definition of a modern winger who controls the ball to the touchline and crosses for the attackers. Analysts describe him as a hybrid between a No 10 and a wide forward, as his gameplay revolves more around the half-space rather than the flank.
His progressive passing and ball-carrying style ranks him among the best in his position across the entire Europe. Equally, he is capable of driving into the box himself, facing defenders in a one on one attack.
This play style totally matches Iraola’s tactics that demand intense pressing and high intensity of the ball. Akliouche is technical; he ranks highly for his turnover and ability to always win possession in advanced areas. In a situation where Liverpool plays a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 formation, his versatility would be well displayed.
The Problems Associated with this Transfer
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly been in pursuit of the 24 year old winger for most of the summer, and have already made three (3) different bids which were rejected by Monaco, who have kept his price estimation at €50 million.
The report still has it that the Ligue 1 giants have already agreed personal terms with Akliouche, so Liverpool might be chasing a dead end trying to secure his signature in this summer transfer window, just as in the case of Yan Diomande.
Physicality
Akliouche is a creative player, and being creative also means taking risks. The English Premier League is known for being more physical, especially from defensive players. Trying to be creative most of the time could lead to being dispossessed of the ball, the same struggle Florian Wirtz experienced after joining the club.
Since he is not the accelerating type of player, game intelligence could be his only alternative, which could lead to slowing down the tempo of the game and could eventually lead to being dispossessed of the ball.
However, this could be improved over time after several games in the Premier League, and also the coaching staff can figure out the best alternative on how to utilise him.
Can Akliouche Replace Mohammed Salah?
The Frenchman represents a different kind of threat than Mohammed Salah; he is young, more of a creator than a goalscorer, and someone whose gameplay is built around a combined effort rather than an isolated one on one finishing.
Salah had the acceleration power, technical finishing ability, and brought chaos in the opponents’ goal area. Akliochue lacks most of these qualities, but being paired with Wirtz would be a debut Anfield season most fans should look forward to.
