Liverpool are reportedly eyeing FC Koln talent Said El Mala as they look to bolster their attacking options.
The Reds are potentially in the market for a new forward this winter, and after losing out on Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, new targets are being put forward.
According to reports on New Year’s Day, Liverpool scouts are watching El Mala along with RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande.
Which Bundesliga talent are you taking? Yan Diomande or Said El Mala
Both are on Liverpool's radar 👀
While Diomande has shot into the common footballing consciousness as Leipzig’s latest super talent, El Mala has gone slightly more under the radar at Koln.
So, as Liverpool look closely at one of the best young players in Europe this season, Rousing The Kop has broken down all you need to know about El Mala ahead of a potential move in 2026.
What kind of player is Said El Mala?
El Mala’s talents can be seen in his impressive numbers for Koln this season. After just 17 appearances for Effzeh, the 19-year-old has six goals and two assists.
Operating as a left-sided forward who tends to cut in on his stronger right foot, El Mala is quick, direct and enjoys bamboozling opponents with his footwork.
Notable for taking shots decidedly early, El Mala is a powerful runner and shooter who is also comfortable using his left foot.
According to Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, the teenager has a certain type of speed in his game which ‘surprises’ opposition defenders.
“This kid has this initial acceleration and then a second burst of speed. That surprises many defenders,” the Bayern boss said last October.
Liverpool can only sign ONE player this January, which position should they strengthen?
“He can shoot from that high speed. That feeling of being inactive and then suddenly launching a full-scale counter-attack is, of course, a quality you can use throughout your entire career.”
Which country does Said El Mala play for?
El Mala is part of a new generation of German talents coming through spearheaded by Bayern wunderkind Lennart Karl.
Having grown up in Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, El Mala played for several clubs in the area at youth level, including Borussia Monchengladbach.
The forward was released from Gladbach aged 14 and eventually joined third division club Viktoria Koln in 2023.
| Name | Said El Mala |
| DOB (Age) | 26/08/2006 (19) |
| Club | FC Koln |
| Nationality | German |
| Position | Left winger |
| Transfermarkt value | £35m |
From there, he made the move to city neighbours FC Koln, who loaned him back to Viktoria for the 2024/25 campaign. After hitting 13 goals aged only 18, El Mala returned ready for a shot at the Bundesliga this term.
Eligible for Lebanon through his father, El Mala has been turning out for Germany’s youth sides since U18 level. After five appearances for the U21s, he received a first senior call-up during Die Mannschaft’s most recent fixtures in November. Although he did not make an appearance, he is likely to be in the reckoning for a spot in this summer’s World Cup squad.
Koln boss Lukas Kwasniok predicted in October that El Mala ‘will be sold for an incredible fee‘ whenever he does leave the RheinEnergie Stadion. With Liverpool sniffing around, that could happen sooner rather than later.
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