Arne Slot’s side eased to a 3-1 victory on Saturday against Southampton.
Liverpool look certain to claim their 20th English League title this season, having opened up a 16-point, now 15-point, lead over second-placed Arsenal yesterday.
Darwin Nunez continued his resurgence with a goal, and two penalties from the relentless Mo Salah gave Slot’s men the victory over rock-bottom Saints.
Since taking the reins at Anfield on the 1st of June 2024, the former Feyenoord manager has only made two signings.
Federico Chiesa joined from Juventus for around £10m, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili signed for The Reds in September before being loaned back to Valencia for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.
Arne Slot sees a ‘different energy’ from Dominik Szoboszlai
Initial concerns over squad depth have dissipated over the course of Liverpool’s somewhat unchallenged ride at the Premier League’s summit.
But on Saturday, Slot admitted he saw a ‘different energy’ from midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, admitting he may have ‘made a mistake by playing him’.
The Hungarian has been a mainstay in a Liverpool side that has been so impressive this season. He has struck up a partnership alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in Slot’s midfield engine room.
Szoboszlai has the highest goal contributions of all three, racking up five goals and three assists so far in the Premier League.
But yesterday he was substituted at half-time and replaced by Curtis Jones; a decision that raised many eyebrows given Szoboszlai’s impressive run of recent form.
Liverpool’s typically industrious number eight is known for his constant running and high work-rate. Slot admits that ‘he gives so much every game’ and perhaps this was a reason for a drop in performance levels against lowly Southampton.
With a colossal second leg tie against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon this week, Slot will have everything crossed that Szoboszlai is back to his athletic best in time for Tuesday.
But Slot’s admission about potentially overplaying the former RB Leipzig man does raise questions over whether additional midfielders will be required this summer.
Three midfield targets we could see at Anfield next season
Angelo Stiller – VfB Stuttgart
A slightly more defensive option, but a quality one nonetheless. Angelo Stiller has caught the eye in the Bundesliga this year, making three appearances for the German national team in the process.
Christian Falk, the Head of Football at BILD Sport, recently explained that Liverpool are interested in Angelo Stiller.
Stiller has a release clause in his contract – valued at €36m [£30.2m] – which comes into play in 2026.
Ederson – Atalanta
The Brazilian has received high plaudits in Italy for his performances this season. Similar to Szoboszlai, Ederson has been described as a ‘relentless workhorse’ who has ‘reinvigorated Atalanta’s midfield’.
Making 27 Serie A appearances so far this season in a box-to-box role, Ederson is also wanted by Premier League sides Manchester City and Manchester United.
Should Liverpool look to acquire his services to bolster their midfield options, he is likely to cost around 50 million pounds.
Carlos Baleba – Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton’s conveyor belt of producing some of the most profitable players in world football is showing no signs of slowing down. The latest on this list is Carlos Baleba, a Senegalese midfielder signed for 23.2 million by Roberto de Zerbi in 2023.
Reports now suggest that the AMEX fan’s favourite is being watched closely by Liverpool scouts as they look to strengthen in the middle of the park. However, a deal could break a British transfer record, with TeamTalk revealing that Brighton will ask for £115 million in exchange for Baleba.
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