Final summer time, Jurgen Klopp left us.
In his place, Arne Slot. Feyenoord had loved back-to-back trophy-winning campaigns with the shrewd tactician at their helm, profitable the Dutch Eredivisie earlier than claiming the KVNB Cup, which is the equal of the FA Cup.
Klopp’s resolution to step down from his job as Liverpool supervisor after almost 9 years was a troublesome tablet to swallow. Merseyside went right into a state of mourning (or a state of jubilation, in case you method it from a Blue perspective).
Principally everybody anticipated Liverpool’s empire to break down, however they’ve prospered beneath a brand new wing, storming by way of the 2024/25 Premier League season to ascertain a 12-point lead on the high.
It could not have gone any higher on the league entrance, however FSG know thunder rumbles within the background, with a spate of issues lining as much as disrupt Slot’s challenge come summer time.
Issues want options, and Liverpool are fairly good at discovering them in locations others cannot. Some superstars might depart this summer time, however recent faces will be part of the Reds trigger.
Let’s reserve judgement till subsequent season’s properly underway. What number of occasions have FSG pulled it off in latest home windows?
1
GK – Alisson Becker
It feels just like the spot between the sticks should not be contentious. However oh how it’s.
Alisson Becker is a phenomenon, lauded as “the very best goalkeeper on the planet” by Slot, however Liverpool have signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £29m. He is changing the outgoing Caoimhin Kelleher, and he needs high spot.
Two high-level keepers. Simply how FSG prefer it. There could possibly be worse issues to cope with. And in equity, there are at that.
2
RB – Jeremie Frimpong
We’ll say it. Sorry, but it surely’s rising more and more possible that Trent Alexander-Arnold goes to signal for Actual Madrid when his contract expires on the finish of the season. Liverpool have Conor Bradley, however they will want extra depth and Jeremie Frimpong may simply be the person for the job.
Current experiences recommend Liverpool are on the brink of make their proposal for the Bayer Leverkusen invincible, who has a €40m (£34m) launch clause.
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Devastating in assault – The United Stand’s Beth Tucker has dubbed him a “monster within the ultimate third” – and one of many quickest defenders within the enterprise, he’d be good for Slot’s fluent and slick system.
3
CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ah, candy uncertainty.
It is truly no laughing matter. Actual Madrid, bane of Liverpool’s life, reportedly need Ibrahima Konate, and he is out of a deal in simply over one 12 months.
The hulking centre-half has been immense this season, perhaps nearly as good as his counterpart beside him. A number of months in the past, Fabrizio Romano confirmed talks have been lengthy underway and a optimistic consequence is predicted for the Anfield facet. So we will cling to that hope for expensive life.
4
CB – Virgil van Dijk
Extra uncertainty.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s supreme defender and matchless chief, can be nearing the tip of the road. Nevertheless, he needs to remain; Slot needs him to remain; the followers need him to remain; the squad need him to remain.
Certainly we are going to all be granted our want. Van Dijk could be approaching his mid-thirties however he is been extraordinary this season, and the ramifications of dropping him could be keenly felt certainly.
5
LB – Milos Kerkez
That is large. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart for Liverpool, however he is flagging at 31, bumped into the filth throughout so many tireless years. Milos Kerkez is the proper alternative.
The i Paper have confirmed Liverpool have made contact and are honing in on the 21-year-old, who is offered for round £40m and has been described as “a revelation at Bournemouth” by Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher.
6
DM – Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch is not going anyplace. Nevertheless, there is no doubt he is been overused this season and is presently beset by fatigue after taking part in so many minutes.
Ryan Gravenberch within the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (* per sport) | 23/24 | 24/25 |
Matches (begins) | 26 (12) | 29 (29) |
Targets | 1 | 0 |
Assists | 0 | 2 |
Touches* | 28.8 | 65.5 |
Go completion | 83% | 89% |
Key passes* | 0.6 | 0.8 |
Dribbles* | 0.9 | 1.0 |
Ball recoveries* | 2.8 | 5.2 |
Tackles + interceptions* | 1.5 | 3.5 |
Complete duels (received)* | 2.8 (47%) | 4.7 (58%) |
Stats by way of Sofascore | ||
Liverpool would do properly to signal one other midfielder this summer time, however it could take some participant to dislodge the Dutchman from his beginning berth.
7
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
Final 12 months, Argentina worldwide Alexis Mac Allister admitted he would like to play in Spain someday, for Actual Madrid or Barcelona.
Simply maintain your horses, ay Mac. Liverpool hit the jackpot when bringing Brighton’s rising expertise to Anfield for simply £35m in 2023. He steered the membership towards resurgence final 12 months and has been a quiet chief and affect within the centre this season, as Slot’s facet head towards the Premier League title.
8
AM – Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szobozlai: Liverpool’s veritable life-blood.
The Hungarian has actually come into his personal over these previous few months, with a fuel tank to marvel at and an all-encompassing sport that compelled Jurgen Klopp to pay £60m for his companies again in 2023.
He is not going anyplace.
9
RW – Mohamed Salah
Whether or not Mohamed Salah stays or goes is determined by the push-and-pull on the negotiating desk. At £350k per week, he is the very best earner in Liverpool’s historical past.
Richard Hughes definitely has his work minimize out, however we reckon the sporting director will placate the lots by engineering an extension.
10
LW – Cody Gakpo
Luis Diaz is about to enter the penultimate 12 months of his contract and is among the many gamers Liverpool might money in on this summer time, however Cody Gakpo’s going nowhere.
The Netherlands ahead sits second in Liverpool’s scoring charts with 16 objectives, with out query Slot’s standout ahead with Salah however.
11
CF – Alexander Isak
We have saved the very best til final. We will dream, proper?
Look, Alexander Isak has simply scored towards Liverpool at Wembley to finish Newcastle United’s trophy-winning hoodoo and condemn Slot to his first genuinely poor patch. He is sizzling property alright, and The Magpies will reportedly be in search of in extra of £150m if he is to go away this summer time.
Whether or not that sum will be whittled down stays to be seen, however Liverpool’s curiosity, confirmed by The Athletic, is real, and with Darwin Nunez allegedly up on the market, this could be the final word signing to galvanise the Liverpool lots.
Liverpool dream XI for 2025/26 in full: (GK) Alisson Becker; (RB) Jeremie Frimpong, (CB) Ibrahima Konate, (CB) Virgil van Dijk, (LB) Milos Kerkez; (DM) Ryan Gravenberch, (CM) Dominik Szoboszlai, (CM) Alexis Mac Allister; (RW) Mohamed Salah, (LW) Cody Gakpo, (CF) Alexander Isak.
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