Under the radar: Richard Kone

It's a new era at Liverpool.

Well, technically FSG. With Michael Edwards returning to work under Liverpool's owners as the CEO of football - FSG commenced their multi-club ambitions.

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In the year that has gone on, FSG have actively pursued options to purchase clubs. Bordeaux and Malaga have been explored. Anfield Watch understands other clubs in France are also under consideration.

In light of these changes, we have decided to start a new series looking at Edwards' potential first signings.

These are players who aren't necessarily ready to make the move to Anfield just yet but who could do so in the future and therefore should be signed by the club right now.

The first player in the series we introduced was Japanese centre-back, Kota Takai. Today, we will take a look at a player who is similar to Diogo Jota catching the eye in League One.

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Meet Richard Kone - Liverpool's NEXT Diogo Jota

Yes, he might be a surprising name but the 21-year-old has been making waves at Wycombe this season - a team where Liverpool have signed players from before. Most notably, Jordon Ibe joined the Reds after coming through Wycombe's academy and playing for their first team at just 15 years old.

Kone is obviously a bit older and his story is even more remarkable. Back in 2019, he arrived in England to play in the Homeless World Cup.

For almost five years prior to signing for Wycome, he has been playing at amateur level for Athletic Newham because his visa status prevented him from signing for a professional club.

During his spell at Newham, he scored 88 goals in 108 matches. Ultimately, he was granted a visa and able to sign for Wycombe back in January of 2024 - after a long trial at the club.

Now in his first season, Kone has finished the campaign with 26 goal contributions for the club. In the process, he has become one of the most exciting talents in the English Football League.

Kone is a poacher who thrives at scoring goals and works tirelessly on the pitch. As per SciSports he has an 85% similarity in his playing style to Diogo Jota.

It's easy to see why. Jota during the height of his career at Liverpool was always seen as the club's most reliable goal-scorer. The Portuguese is very good at converting his shots into goals.

Out of players who averages at least 2.5 shots per 90 minutes - no one has a better goal conversion in League One than Kone (21.17%).

Jota has always been quick as well and a player who would do a lot of graft off the ball - being one of Liverpool's most effective pressers.

Again these are characteristics shared by Kone as well. The Ivorian is very good at closing down defenders with speed and winning the ball back for his team. He ranks in the top 10% for forcing transitions among players in League One and in the top third for open play disruption.

This energy combined with his goal-scoring prowess makes Kone a player who should be on the club's radar.

The reality is that sooner or later Jota will have to be replaced. He's going to be turning 29-years-old later this year and his form has dipped a little bit this season scoring just six goals in the Premier League.

Kone is a player who isn't quite ready for a move to Liverpool, but in a year or so if he continues in the same trajectory he could entertain those conversations.

That's why he would be an ideal profile for Liverpool to target in order to build on their multi-club model. There might not be a club in place just yet, but FSG are clearly working on it.

In the interim someone like Kone could be signed and loaned out this summer - but it's also entirely possible that FSG will complete their purchase of a potential new club and in that case Liverpool could just send him there instead.

The most important factor why FSG brought back Michael Edwards is because they know they can follow a similar model to Brighton and nurture their own talents. Rather than needing to spend big money in order to sign ready-made talent, they can develop young stars and make them ready-made for Liverpool.

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Kone fits this profile. He's got all the potential in the world to be an outstanding modern day forward and follow in the footsteps of Diogo Jota.