Why Yan Diomande rejecting Liverpool could be good news for two highly-rated Liverpool youngsters

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Liverpool’s transfer strategy will have to pivot for the remainder of the summer after seeing Yan Diomande turn down the chance to join them.The Reds had been pushing hard to sign Diomande from RB Leipzig, even having a €100m bid rejected by the German club, but the Ivorian has reportedly made it clear that he’d rather join Paris Saint-Germain.Though Liverpool are likely to target an alternative such as Bradley Barcola, Diomande’s rejection also opens up the door for Andoni Iraola to consider making Kieran Morrison and Josh Abe more permanent members of the first-team squad. Who should Liverpool’s new top target be after being rejected by Yan Diomande?

This is a BIG blow to the Reds' summer plans 😓 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency Morrison and Abe won’t be blocked by DiomandeClearly, neither Morrison nor Abe are ready to take over duties from Mohamed Salah as Liverpool’s starting right winger.Nevertheless, there are really high hopes for the pair of them, Abe in particular, and given the lack of top-level, left-footed wingers on the market right now, both of their positions are somewhat strengthened.Being only 19, Diomande is the same age as Morrison, and three years older than Abe. Had he been signed as a right-sided forward for, say, £100m, he would be expected to own that position for the Reds for years to come.That would have blocked Morrison and Abe from really being able to break through, and though a different signing might have a similar effect, it is unlikely to be on the same level.Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesREAD MORE Yan Diomande’s main reason for choosing PSG over Liverpool will really sting Reds supportersLiverpool clearly think Abe can be a future starter, and though he is still yet to turn 16, he should soon be getting chances with the senior squad.Like Rio Ngumoha last season, it is better for the Reds to keep that pathway relatively clear, and though they need a player to bridge the gap in between, signing Diomande would have been a clear message to the 15-year-old that there is a fairly big new obstacle in his way.Morrison can supplement the first-teamAlthough it may still be a touch too soon for Abe to be a proper option at the beginning of next season, Morrison is more ready to play a part.The 19-year-old is far too good for the Premier League 2 having been named the division’s player of the season last term, and though he is not of a starter level for Liverpool, he can offer strength in depth and something different for Iraola.

Both are free and available… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC Unlike Abe, who plays in the same position, he may not have a long-term future with the Reds, but that does not mean that he cannot be useful in the meantime.Without Diomande coming in, there is now a chance for Liverpool to properly assess where Morrison is up to, and give him the chance to impress Iraola in pre-season at the very least.A new signing is still expected to arrive, and that will throw a spanner into the mix for Morrison and Abe, but it is unlikely to be for such a whoppingly big transfer fee, and that should give both players hope that 2026/27 can be their breakout year.Ngumoha has reiterated that anything is possible with young players if they are given opportunities to shine. When looking back on this saga in the years to come, maybe it will prove to be the turning point in Morrison and Abe’s careers at Liverpool.