Double move for Aubameyang and Mahrez would make Liverpool Africa’s biggest club

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Liverpool move for duo would make huge business sense and sporting sense.

Liverpool are still reeling from the shock exit of Coutinho, and fans are hoping there are no more shock exits.

The Reds instead need to continue spending, and doubling down on their biggest assets would be a smart move.

Two of Liverpool’s best players hail from Africa, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who were both nominated for the continent’s player of the year award, with the latter winning it.

Guinea ace Naby Keita is already confirmed to arrive in the summer, and it would be huge if the Reds decided to strengthen by adding two more of Africa’s biggest players, who have already been linked with the club.

Algeria international Riyad Mahrez has been linked with Liverpool, with the Leicester Mercury reporting Leicester City value him at £50 million.

The Express reported last month that the Reds were keen on Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, valued at £60 million.

A quintet of Mane, Salah, Keita, Mahrez and Aubameyang would be fearsome on the pitch, and huge in terms of marketing off it.

Liverpool’s success would be built around the biggest stars in Africa, and the continent’s player of the year award would effectively double as a club award.

BBC Africa reported in 2015 that Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were more popular in Africa, but with Salah and Mane on board, Liverpool may have already begun reversing this trend.

Going ‘all in’ on the African players by signing Mahrez and Aubameyang would see Liverpool’s marketabilty and popularity soar further.

Barcelona are legitimately seen as the South American team, as Liverpool have found out to their cost with Luis Suarez and Coutinho.

By further embracing the identity of their top stars, Liverpool can cultivate themselves as a destination club for Africa’s top talents, and reap rewards in the future.

So would the Reds be left high and dry when the African Nations Cup comes around?

Not necessarily. The Guardian report that from 2019 the tournament will switch from January to June, removing a key flaw from the strategy.

Liverpool are already well positioned in Africa thanks to Salah, Mane and Keita, plus defender Joel Matip. Making spectacular moves for Aubameyang and Mahrez would be a seriously exciting prospect and currently looks viable.