Who’s ready to do it all over again next season? Arne Slot, for sure, will be champing at the bit, desperate to lead Liverpool out for his second season.
This time, however, the Dutch coach will not be an unknown commodity but a Premier League champion, having dominated the division to cement legendary status and join an exclusive list of triumphant debutants in the dugout.
Federico Chiesa will be frustrated with his minimal role across the campaign, especially since he’s the club’s only signing since Jurgen Klopp completed his midfield rebuild in August 2023, but injuries and Mohamed Salah’s brilliance have left the right-sided forward shackled to the sidelines for much of the year.
Chiesa’s future is undetermined, but one thing that is certain: FSG have rewarded Slot with a deep purse for summer spending.
Sporting director Richard Hughes is already working overtime, but there’s plenty more to come. Let’s have a look at how Liverpool could line up when all’s said and done come Autumn.
1
GK – Alisson Becker
Liverpool agreed a £29m deal with Valencia for Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer, and the Georgian will now join the Anfield side. However, he’ll be hard-pressed to oust Alisson Becker from his spot between the sticks.
Alisson’s brilliance has forced Caoimhin Kelleher, a fantastic goalkeeper in his own right, to search for pastures new, and Mamardashvili will have to wait to nail down the number one spot.
2
RB – Jeremie Frimpong
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave Liverpool and sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer will be a contentious subject for many years to come, but Hughes and Co might just have struck gold in replacing him with Jeremie Frimpong.
The electric right-sider has left Bayer Leverkusen after Liverpool met his £29.5m release clause, and the contrast he will offer from Conor Bradley could add a wonderfully dynamic dimension to Slot’s team.
3
CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate continues to be non-committal on the contract front, but there have been tentative claims of late pertaining to progress at the negotiating table.
The 24-year-old is one of the best centre-backs in the business right now, a wonderful, athletic counterpoint to the skipper beside him.
4
CB – Virgil van Dijk
Like Salah (and unlike Alexander-Arnold), Virgil van Dijk signed a two-year contract extension at Liverpool in April and will continue his iconic career at the club.
Easily one of the best defenders of his generation, the Netherlands native is inspiring, influential and, above all else, an incredible footballer.
5
LB – Milos Kerkez
Though a deal has yet to be wrapped up, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that “club-to-club talks are underway” between Liverpool and Bournemouth.
Andy Robertson, 31, has been a stalwart servant at Liverpool for so many years, but he was a clear weak link at times this year, and Kerkez, a decade his junior, would be the perfect long-term addition.
6
CM – Ryan Gravenberch
The Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award went to Ryan Gravenberch, and rightly so.
Has there been a more influential surprise package in the division this year? After a middling debut campaign on Merseyside, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength.
|
Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per game) |
23/24 |
24/25 |
|
Matches (starts) |
26 (12) |
37 (37) |
|
Goals |
1 |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
4 |
|
Touches* |
28.8 |
66.5 |
|
Pass completion |
83% |
89% |
|
Key passes* |
0.6 |
0.7 |
|
Dribbles* |
0.9 |
1.0 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
2.8 |
5.2 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
1.5 |
3.5 |
|
Total duels (won)* |
2.8 (47%) |
5.0 (57%) |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
Liverpool failed to convince Martin Zubimendi to join their cause one year ago, but they won’t care a jot anymore.
7
CM – Alexis Mac Allister
There are rumours that Alexis Mac Allister is wanted by Real Madrid, but Liverpool will not let their midfield life-force leave this summer.
He’s almost underrated, Mac Allister, one of the biggest proponents of Slot’s tactical vision.
8
RW – Mohamed Salah
Salah. What is there to say?
Thank you, perhaps. The Egyptian King has brought so much joy, so much success to Liverpool, and he’s deservedly a two-time Premier League champion, having obliterated any number of records across the term.
Will Salah, 33 this month, match this season’s haul of 34 goals and 23 assists across all competitions?
Maybe, maybe not. In any case, the right winger will expect a higher calibre of attacking quality surrounding him.
9
AM – Florian Wirtz
What better way to reward Salah for his almighty campaign than to sign Florian Wirtz, who is regarded by sports media professional Cristian Nyari as a “truly generational talent.”
Liverpool have been locked in talks with Leverkusen for the 22-year-old playmaker, with the Germans holding out for a €150m (£126m) fee; some more talking may be required.
If Liverpool do manage to get this one over the line, it would be quite the way to offset the malaise enveloping Trent’s move to sunny Spain.
10
LW – Anthony Gordon
Luis Diaz has given a lot to Liverpool over his years at the club, and the 28-year-old is entering the penultimate year of his contract with his stock sky-high. Barcelona and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr are both keen.
Liverpool would need to replace their Colombian maverick, and, if Football Insider are to be believed, interest in Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon could be revisited.
Newcastle would want £80m for their prized winger, but Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and would be curious at moving back to Merseyside.
