As one big name departs, Liverpool could be set to welcome a raft of new faces this summer as Arne Slot plans for the defense of the Premier League title.
He will of course be doing so without Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the right-back having confirmed his decision to leave at the end of his contract. In fact, the Premier League trophy will not long have been lifted before he could be turning out for Real Madrid this summer.
Even if the Spanish giant ends up paying a fee to secure his early arrival, it looks set to be a relatively small amount, and so won’t make much of a difference to Liverpool’s war chest for the upcoming transfer window. Slot has also been quick to play down expectations about the Reds’ business, even if it means going against his own captain.
Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Liverpool needs to make some major signings this summer, even with a 20th league title in the bag. Plenty of big names have been linked already with a move to Anfield, which could point toward a possible line-up for next season.
Of course, with Alexander-Arnold leaving, right-back becomes something of a priority. Conor Bradley will hopefully be able to step up to become first-choice, but relying on him alone would not be wise given his injury record since his breakthrough last season.
Jeremie Frimpong may well be the answer. Liverpool.com has previously reported on the Reds’ interest in the Bayer Leverkusen star, and Alexander-Arnold’s announcement on Monday may well have been the green light needed to set the transfer wheels in motion.
The opposite side of the field also needs to be addressed. Andy Robertson will be an important player to keep in the squad, but given his performances over the last year, it’s clear Liverpool needs a younger and fresher model at left-back.
(Image: Getty Images)
Milos Kerkez looks to be the obvious choice, as long as Real Madrid doesn’t make a late attempt to hijack a deal. He could well be part of a double deal from Bournemouth alongside Dean Huijsen, although Kerkez should absolutely be considered the priority – if Liverpool can also land Huijsen, that would be a major bonus.
Otherwise, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate should keep their places at the heart of the defense, and while Giorgi Mamardashvili will be arriving to challenge Alisson Becker in goal, it would be foolish to try and displace the Brazilian.
Midfield is certainly not the priority now that it looked to be 12 months ago, although a new No.6 would still be ideal to lessen the burden on Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Angelo Stiller looks to be emerging as a serious option for Liverpool, with Stuttgarter Nachrichten claiming the 24-year-old is on the Reds’ radar after being considered last summer. He would have to come at a price which might be considered too steep for an area that isn’t high on Slot’s to-do list, but it would be interesting to see how Liverpool could develop with him, with Gravenberch and Mac Allister potentially gaining more freedom.
Learn more
Then comes the big one. A new No.9 is right up there among Liverpool’s priorities, and it might well be the difference between the Reds winning multiple trophies next season and missing out.
There is one player who would be the ideal signing. Alexander Isak would be a major coup, although it would require Liverpool going big – and we mean really big – to secure his signing.
In any case, the Reds’ chances of landing him are looking slimmer by the day as Newcastle edges towards Champions League qualification. Still the race for the top five is far from over, and the outlook at St James’ Park could change quite drastically.
Just for a second imagine Isak alongside Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo in attack. What an XI Slot could have on his hands next season.
Liverpool’s possible lineup next season: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Stiller, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Isak, Gakpo.
