So, it sounds like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are staying put, and that is excellent news ahead of what could be a big summer at Liverpool.
The pair are set to sign two-year deals at Anfield to keep them at the club until the summer of 2027, ending months of speculation over their futures.
Trent Alexander-Arnold appears to be leaving, so it was imperative that Liverpool managed to retain the experience of of Van Dijk and Salah as Arne Slot prepares to potentially make significant changes to his squad over the summer.
Slot has made just one outfield signing since arriving at Anfield, bringing in Federico Chiesa from Juventus last summer, and while the Reds have been magnificent for the vast majority of this season, there have been signs of weariness during the run-in.
That could be down to Slot primarily relying on the same small group of players throughout the season, and over the summer he could look to sprinkle a few more players into the squad — ones he can trust to come into the team when others are in need of a rest. Let’s take a look at what Liverpool’s squad could look like next season…
Liverpool’s possible 20-man matchday squad for 2025-26
Slot clearly trusts both Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher, but next season Kelleher will be replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili — Slot’s only other signing — with Kelleher expected to depart in search of regular first-team action.
Mamardashvili was signed from last summer before being immediately loaned back to the La Liga club for the season, and the Georgian’s quality was on show last weekend as he produced a man-of-the-match performance against Real Madrid.
In defense, Liverpool is expected to make signings in the full-back positions, with Alexander-Arnold’s departure leaving a gaping hole on the right side of defense, and the club targeting a long-term replacement for Andy Robertson on the left.
Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have seemingly emerged as Liverpool’s primary targets for both positions, with Slot reportedly having had multiple phone calls with the former.
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s midfield is probably the area in the team which requires the least amount of work, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones all having enjoyed good seasons. With Wataru Endo surely set to depart, the Reds could do with a replacement who Slot can trust to come in for Gravenberch when he is in need of a rest. Angelo Stiller of VfB Stuttgart has been mentioned as a possible addition.
Up front, Darwin Nunez is expected to depart after three underwhelming years at Anfield, and the ideal addition would undoubtedly be Alexander Isak of Newcastle. He would cost a pretty penny but this is a hypothetical squad, and for the purpose of this article, he gets in.
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Possible 20-man Premier League matchday squad in 2025-26
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili
Defenders: Frimpong, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Quansah, Kerkez, Robertson
Midfielders: Gravenberch, Stiller, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott
Forwards: Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Isak
