At every turning point in Liverpool‘s season, a fresh headline emerges about the persistent issue permeating it.
After bowing out of the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain, questions on contract renewals were reignited when Virgil van Dijk remarked that he had “no idea” if he’d be at the club next season—a comment that certainly raised eyebrows.
Despite the strong probability that Van Dijk remains with Liverpool, the absence of ink on paper feeds into a bubbling uncertainty around how the soon-to-be champions might shape up come next year. It’s a peculiar narrative that continues to unfold within Anfield’s halls.
Conventional wisdom still backs Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to reach a deal and continue their Anfield saga, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s destiny seems less sure amid Real Madrid’s circling presence. As time marches on along with the dwindling duration of those contracts, acknowledging the chance that all three key players could make their exit becomes imperative.
Are they seeking wages or contract lengths beyond what Liverpool are willing to offer? Or is it possible that Liverpool’s top brass prefer a blank canvas for Arne Slot to build upon the excellent foundation he has laid?
This engrossing episode will unravel over the upcoming weeks.
Yet, the intrigue doesn’t stop there—what does a Liverpool without the likes of Van Dijk, Salah, and Alexander-Arnold look like? In what new formations could Slot deploy his squad with a few shrewd signings?
Mirror Football explores the potential landscape.
GOALKEEPER AND DEFENSE
If the trio do leave, this would cause the most significant disruption, and it wouldn’t be wise to exacerbate this by letting Alisson go and immediately promoting Giorgi Mamardashvili to the new No. 1.
At right-back, Conor Bradley could step up and claim the starting spot as his own, although the Reds might need to sign some backup for him. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate will have to assume the role of the senior center-back in Van Dijk’s absence.
The rest of the defense could comprise new signings, specifically a double deal from sporting director Richard Hughes’ former club Bournemouth, with center-back Dean Huijsen and left-back Milos Kerkez both on Liverpool’s radar.
Jarell Quansah, Andy Robertson and potentially Joe Gomez, if he chooses to stay, will all get their fair share of games too.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
MIDFIELD
The 2023 summer transfer window must be considered one of Liverpool’s most successful, with the complete midfield overhaul they achieved now yielding results in the form of a likely Premier League title.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and, Dominik Szoboszlai have all been crucial to the Reds’ efforts this season, and all of them deserve to retain their starting spots in the team for the next campaign.
Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will also feature regularly, and there’s probably room for one more attacking midfielder given that goals will be lost from elsewhere. Wataru Endo could also stay if he wishes.
ATTACK
How do you fill Salah’s shoes?
The truth is, it’s nearly impossible. Liverpool won’t be able to secure a right-sided, left-footed attacker of the Egyptian’s caliber who can instantly make an impact, so perhaps a different approach could be the compromise.
Luis Diaz hasn’t often been spotted on the right for Liverpool, simply because that’s Salah’s territory, but this could be a viable option for Slot as he considers a new strategy, with Ben Doak ready to step in after his successful loan at Middlesbrough. Federico Chiesa seems set to leave.
Cody Gakpo appears comfortable on the left of the attack and might flourish with more goalscoring duties assigned to him. Then comes the significant move at center-forward, where a big-money deal for Alexander Isak could entirely alter Liverpool’s dynamics as the No. 9 becomes the primary goalscorer.
Darwin Nunez’s time at Anfield seems to be up, while Diogo Jota continues to struggle with injuries. Therefore, a major move in the market for a No. 9 seems necessary regardless of what happens with Salah. Right now, there are few moves bigger than one for the Swedish player who could easily shoulder Salah’s goalscoring load.
