Liverpool Face Yan Diomande Reality as Lewis Steele Delivers Honest Verdict

Liverpool’s search for a new wide forward has taken an unexpected turn, and according to Lewis Steele, the Reds have been left counting the cost of a transfer pursuit that has ultimately come up short.

Speaking to Trev Downey on the latest Anfield Index podcast, Steele offered a measured assessment of Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Yan Diomande, explaining why RB Leipzig and the player’s representatives have left the club needing to rethink its summer strategy.

Lewis Steele Believes Liverpool Were Outmanoeuvred

The most striking moment of the discussion came when Trev Downey asked whether Liverpool had effectively been used during negotiations.

Steele’s response left little room for doubt.

“I think Liverpool have been played by the agent to be honest.”

He expanded on that view by revealing the level of confidence inside the club during negotiations.

“As far as I was aware speaking to Diomande’s camp themselves. They were saying that they were speaking to Richard Hughes every day.”

Steele added: “I think Liverpool were confident they were going to get it done.”

That confidence, according to Steele, proved misplaced. While acknowledging Liverpool’s history of missing out on priority targets, he admitted there was no escaping the disappointment.

“I don’t think there’s any sugar coating it. They’ve lost out on their main target.”

Steele also suggested Liverpool had been “messed around quite a bit by the agent Rock Nation”, describing a process that has left the club searching for alternatives.

RB Leipzig Hold Strong Position

One of the recurring themes throughout the conversation was the rapidly inflating transfer market.

Asked whether Liverpool’s own spending has contributed to soaring valuations, Steele acknowledged the point before explaining why clubs such as RB Leipzig are standing firm.

“If I was the director of RB Leipzig… I think they’ve got every right to say we want massive money.”

He also highlighted another complication.

“Liverpool have sort of shown the hand a little bit because they made that first bid.”

In Steele’s view, every club Liverpool approach now knows significant funds are available.

“Whoever they pivot to, the selling club can go, ‘Well, you’ve got this money, so we’ll take an extra £20 million.'”

His conclusion was simple.

“It’s left them in a really sticky situation.”

Bradley Barcola Emerges as Liverpool Pivot

Much of Trev Downey’s conversation then shifted towards Liverpool’s next move.

Steele believes Bradley Barcola remains a player Liverpool admire, although he repeatedly stressed there are significant hurdles.

“I do think he probably will end up leaving PSG.”

However, he also warned: “He might prefer Arsenal.”

Steele pointed to Liverpool’s changing position within the market.

“Liverpool aren’t as glamorous an option as they may have been 12 months ago.”

He also acknowledged the groundwork Liverpool have already completed.

“They liked him last summer so maybe there’s groundwork in place, but there was groundwork in place on Diamande and that didn’t really lead us anywhere.”

It was a reminder that preparation alone guarantees nothing in an increasingly competitive transfer market.

Transfer Window Growing More Difficult

Throughout the podcast, Trev Downey repeatedly challenged Steele on whether Liverpool could recover from missing their first choice target.

Steele remained calm but realistic.

“They’ve started badly.”

He added that losing out on Diomande, combined with other squad changes, means: “Overall transfer windows Liverpool are probably one nil down so far.”

Even so, Steele was clear that Liverpool are unlikely to abandon their recruitment principles.

“I don’t think Liverpool are the sort of club to panic buy.”

Instead, he believes Liverpool must identify the right player rather than simply the available one.

The conversation between Trev Downey and Lewis Steele painted a picture of a club facing a far more challenging summer than last year. Missing out on Yan Diomande has forced Liverpool back into the market, while RB Leipzig’s firm stance and rising transfer fees have made every subsequent move more expensive.

For Liverpool supporters, Steele’s assessment was balanced rather than dramatic, but one quote will resonate more than any other.

“I think Liverpool have been played.”