The next Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading to Liverpool

Liverpool are likely going to be signing the next Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool are heading into a huge summer transfer window, and bringing in more quality out wide has to be near the top of their to-do list.

The biggest issue, of course, is replacing Mohamed Salah. For so many years, he has been the player Liverpool could always rely on for goals, assists and moments that changed games. Losing someone with that level of consistency leaves a massive hole on the right side of the attack and creates a challenge that won't be easy to solve.

Replacing a player of Salah's quality is never straightforward.

There aren't many players in world football who can match the numbers and influence he has produced during his time at Anfield. However, Liverpool cannot afford to sit back and hope the problem fixes itself. If they want to remain competitive at the highest level, they need to act quickly and decisively.

Salah's departure also shines a light on an issue that was already present in the squad. Even before he left, Liverpool looked short of options in the wide attacking areas. The decision to sell Luis Diaz last summer without bringing in a suitable replacement left the squad lacking depth and flexibility.

As a result, Liverpool have regularly been forced to rely on players operating outside their preferred positions whenever Salah or Cody Gakpo have been unavailable. While those solutions have worked at times, they have often highlighted the lack of natural wide attackers in the squad.

That shortage of options has been reflected in Liverpool's performances. Too often, the attack has looked predictable and one-dimensional, with a lack of pace, creativity and variety from the wide areas. Strengthening those positions this summer feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

Because Liverpool have lacked natural width for much of the season, opponents have often found it easier to sit deep and stay compact. Without players consistently stretching the pitch, defences have been able to keep their shape and make life difficult for the Reds in the final third.

That has led to an attack that can sometimes look short of ideas. Liverpool have often struggled to create space, break defensive lines and get their attackers into dangerous one-on-one situations. If they want to get back to playing at their very best, strengthening the wide areas this summer has to be a major focus.

That's why signing wingers - and probably more than one - should be one of the club's top priorities.

Replacing Salah is already a massive challenge on its own, but Liverpool's issues out wide go much deeper than filling the gap left by one player.

The squad needs at least two high-quality additions who can bring pace, creativity and a genuine goal threat from both flanks. Liverpool need attackers who can consistently contribute goals and assists while also adding the unpredictability and energy that has been missing at times over the past few seasons.

Of course, solving the problem isn't as simple as spending huge amounts of money. Liverpool remain in a strong financial position despite investing heavily in the squad last summer, but there are still limits to what the club can spend.

With several positions across the team still needing attention, Liverpool's recruitment staff will need to make smart decisions. Every signing has to provide real value, meaning the club must carefully balance its budget and focus on the areas that need strengthening most.

Given there's so much to do for Liverpool in the market and you need multiple attackers, the valuations for players like Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, who would be perfect fits for the Reds on paper may be too high to pay.

So, who could feasibly come in?

Well, the Reds could be looking at alternative options and looking for the under the radar wildcard - in a typical Michael Edwards fashion.

According to French journalist Sebastian Denis one of these options could be Matias Fernandez-Parto, who Liverpool are 'very' interested in.

A tall and athletic winger who can also play as a centre-forward, Fernandez-Pardo resembles Cristiano Ronaldo in the way he glides past opponents and can also play as a forward.

He's only 21-years-old and definitely has the potential to be an elite player of the Ronaldo mould. Given how Liverpool want a versatile attacker, this is a move worth keeping an eye on.

There's probably a good chance he ends up at Anfield this summer, especially if the Reds are 'very' interested.

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