Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if they avoid defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
The momentum built up across Jurgen Klopp’s swansong season was expected to be derailed when Arne Slot, an unknown presence from Holland, took his place.
But FSG’s data-driven approach came up trumps, with more popular names such as Roberto De Zerbi, Luciano Spalletti, and Ernesto Valverde reported to have been ‘serious contenders’ for the hot seat by The Athletic.
Now, the data scientists and analysts will need to peer through Liverpool’s distinctive prism once again as a title-winning squad (not yet confirmed, but surely) look to defend their crown while challenging for the major honours which proved a stretch too far this year.
While fans are expecting strikers, left-backs, and centre-halves galore, there’s also the matter of the right side of Liverpool’s backline, with Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to sign for Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer.
The latest on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Fans have held onto hope, hopeless hope, that Alexander-Arnold will renew his Liverpool contract. But everything suggests he is on the cusp of joining Los Blancos at the start of a new era, with Carlo Ancelotti to depart in the coming weeks.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the formalities are all that stand between the 26-year-old and a new chapter over in Spain, with reporters on Liverpool’s side echoing the claims, offering little in the way of optimism.
With Liverpool on the brink of winning the Premier League, perhaps the England international is waiting until all is said and done before accelerating his personal plans to the final stage.
But that stage is, sadly, set.
Premier League
255
18
65
Champions League
60
2
13
FA Cup
13
1
3
Carabao Cup
10
0
6
Europa League
5
0
2
Club World Cup
2
0
1
CL Qualifying
2
0
1
Community Shield
2
1
0
UEFA Super Cup
1
0
0
He’s won the lot, and he could win plenty more on Merseyside yet. But Trent’s head has been turned, and while Conor Bradley is an exciting young talent, Liverpool need to ensure they are well-stocked at right-back next year and beyond.
That’s why FSG are preparing to sign a talented young defender.
Liverpool advancing talks for Trent heir
As per Brazilian publication RTI Esporte – as translated by Sport Witness – Liverpool are one of the strongest teams pushing to sign right-back Wesley Franca, 21, this summer and have now made their first move.
Indeed, Wesley’s representatives have actually flown across the Atlantic and landed in England as they look to canvass their client’s qualities to FSG’s transfer team, with Flamengo hoping to earn around €35m (about £30m) from his sale.
Signing the rising star isn’t going to be a walk in the park, though, with both major clubs of a Manchester persuasion in the mix too.
What Wesley would bring to Anfield
Wesley has featured 124 times for Flamengo’s senior squad after graduating from the academy, scoring three goals and providing five assists for his teammates.
As with Klopp, Liverpool would be foolhardy to try and replace Alexander-Arnold with a B-grade version, but in Wesley, they would be signing a right-back with similar strengths, excelling in passing and crossing, while bringing his own distinctive style to the Anfield side.
Crisp, powerful and steely in defence, Wesley ranks among the top 9% of full-backs in divisions similar to the Brasileiro Serie A over the past year for pass completion, the top 18% for shot-creating actions, the top 21% for progressive carries, the top 12% for successful take-ons, the top 16% for ball recoveries and the top 12% for tackles and interceptions per 90.
This is quite the oversaturation of data, so let’s simplify it: talent scout Antonio Mango has lauded him for his “consistent and well-rounded” game, blending athleticism with natural intelligence and a stage presence that bespeaks a future on the Premier League pitch.
Such an energetic game with a skill at beating his man with the ball at his feet highlights a tenacious attitude that Slot would love to work with.
It would be remiss for the powers that be at Anfield to expect Wesley to replicate Alexander-Arnold’s sweeping creative skill set, but there’s nothing to suggest that he wouldn’t bring his own brand to the team, all the while providing consistent crosses into the box and support for Salah and co.
Looking at his opening performances in the Brazilian top flight this year, it’s not hard to see why he’s all the talk.
Matches (starts)
5 (5)
Goals
0
Assists
1
Touches*
76.6
Pass completion
87%
Key passes*
1.4
Crosses*
1.4
Dribbles*
1.6
Ball recoveries*
4.6
Tackles + interceptions*
3.4
Duels (won)*
6.8 (57%)
His strong start to the 2025 campaign highlights the quality that Liverpool would be weaving into their ranks, with Mango also gushing over the player’s “immense” performances right from the get-go.
FSG chiefs might feel that £30m is quite a steep figure to pay for a young defender plying their trade in South America, especially when there’s so much to do across various other positions.
But if sporting director Richard Hughes can succeed in whittling the price down, there’s every reason for Liverpool to be investing in this talented Brazilian, who recently earned his first two caps for the national team.
Given that Bradley has been in such fine fettle since breaking onto the scene, signing an up-and-comer such as Wesley could be the way to go for a Liverpool team looking to increase their depth.
With both players jockeying for the number one spot, it might even prove to elevate both stars to an even higher level.
Liverpool want world's "best player" in £77m deal who'd be Slot’s own Mane
Liverpool are planning to strengthen Arne Slot’s frontline in the transfer market this summer.
ByAngus Sinclair Apr 25, 2025