Liverpool have three exciting backup options if Yan Diomande transfer plan fails

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Liverpool are in hot pursuit of Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande, but they have alternative options too.Liverpool fans got the opportunity to check out the notable talents of summer transfer target Yan Diomande on Saturday evening and the chances are that most will have been impressed by what they saw.The 19-year-old winger demonstrated his expert close control and lightning-fast pace on both flanks for Ivory Coast against Germany in the Group E clash, playing a key part in his country's opening goal. And although he did tire towards the end and ultimately had to watch from the sidelines as Deniz Undav clinched victory for the Germans in injury time, it was an encouraging audition for a potential new beginning at Anfield under Andoni Iroala.The Reds have offered Diomande's current club, RB Leipzig, an £86m deal to land their rising star, but that appears to fall short of what the Bundesliga club are demanding for a player who they don't wish to sell this summer.

Now a full Belgium international, Fernandez-Pardo would be a much cheaper alternative to Diomande and, with age on his side, could be developed by Iraola into a Premier League star.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageYankuba MintehIf Fernandez-Pardo is a bit of an unknown to Liverpool fans, the same cannot be said about Brighton & Hove Albion star Minteh, who has regularly shown how dangerous he can be against the Reds in head-to-head battles.

Also 21, the Gambian star can play the Mohamed Salah role, cutting in from the right and shooting with his deadly left foot.Again, he is another player who Iroala could mould into his system to extract the highest possible output, but with just three Premier League goals to his name last season in 34 appearances, he would need to find the back of the net more regularly if he is to become a Kop hero.Said El MalaIf it's pace and goals that Liverpool want, then El Mala certainly fits the bill. The 19-year-old is a rising star for Bundesliga side FC Koln and has just enjoyed a terrific breakout season with the Billy Goats (Die Geißböcke), scoring 13 times in 34 Bundesliga appearances.His achievements have drawn admiring comments from Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, who praised his speed and sudden acceleration.Unlike Minteh, he is right-footed, so would likely find himself battling for a position with Liverpool's new signing Victor Munoz, although El Mala can also play through the middle as a centre-forward if required, providing much-needed cover for Alexander Isak whilst Hugo Ekitike is recovering from injury.El Mala has seven caps for Germany under-21s and at 6ft, has the build for the modern-day Premier League.