Last summer, Jurgen Klopp left us.
In his place, Arne Slot. Feyenoord had enjoyed back-to-back trophy-winning campaigns with the shrewd tactician at their helm, winning the Dutch Eredivisie before claiming the KVNB Cup, which is the equivalent of the FA Cup.
Klopp’s decision to step down from his job as Liverpool manager after nearly nine years was a tough pill to swallow. Merseyside went into a state of mourning (or a state of jubilation, if you approach it from a Blue perspective).
Mostly everyone expected Liverpool’s empire to collapse, but they have prospered under a new wing, storming through the 2024/25 Premier League season to establish a 12-point lead at the top.
It couldn’t have gone any better on the league front, but FSG know thunder rumbles in the background, with a spate of problems lining up to disrupt Slot’s project come summer.
Problems need solutions, and Liverpool are rather good at finding them in places others can’t. Some superstars may leave this summer, but fresh faces will join the Reds cause.
Let’s reserve judgement until next season’s well underway. How many times have FSG pulled it off in recent windows?
1 GK – Alisson Becker
It feels like the spot between the sticks shouldn’t be contentious. But oh how it is.
Alisson Becker is a phenomenon, lauded as “the best goalkeeper in the world” by Slot, but Liverpool have signed Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £29m. He’s replacing the outgoing Caoimhin Kelleher, and he wants top spot.
Two high-level keepers. Just how FSG like it. There could be worse problems to deal with. And in fairness, there are at that.
2 RB – Jeremie Frimpong
We’re going to say it. Sorry, but it’s growing increasingly probable that Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to sign for Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season. Liverpool have Conor Bradley, but they’ll need more depth and Jeremie Frimpong might just be the man for the job.
Recent reports suggest Liverpool are getting ready to make their proposal for the Bayer Leverkusen invincible, who has a €40m (£34m) release clause.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Devastating in attack – The United Stand’s Beth Tucker has dubbed him a “monster in the final third” – and one of the fastest defenders in the business, he’d be perfect for Slot’s fluent and slick system.
3 CB – Ibrahima Konate
Ah, sweet uncertainty.
It’s actually no laughing matter. Real Madrid, bane of Liverpool’s life, reportedly want Ibrahima Konate, and he’s out of a deal in just over one year.
The hulking centre-half has been immense this season, maybe as good as his counterpart beside him. Several months ago, Fabrizio Romano confirmed talks have been long underway and a positive outcome is expected for the Anfield side. So we shall cling to that hope for dear life.
4 CB – Virgil van Dijk
More uncertainty.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s supreme defender and matchless leader, is also nearing the end of the line. However, he wants to stay; Slot wants him to stay; the fans want him to stay; the squad want him to stay.
Surely we will all be granted our wish. Van Dijk might be approaching his mid-thirties but he’s been extraordinary this season, and the ramifications of losing him would be keenly felt indeed.
5 LB – Milos Kerkez
This is big. Andy Robertson has been a stalwart for Liverpool, but he’s flagging at 31, ran into the dirt across so many tireless years. Milos Kerkez is the perfect replacement.
The i Paper have confirmed Liverpool have made contact and are honing in on the 21-year-old, who is available for around £40m and has been described as “a revelation at Bournemouth” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.
6 DM – Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch isn’t going anywhere. However, there’s no doubt he’s been overused this season and is currently beset by fatigue after playing so many minutes.
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
29 (29)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
2
Touches*
28.8
65.5
Pass 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
Total duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
4.7 (58%)
Liverpool would do well to sign another midfielder this summer, but it would take some player to dislodge the Dutchman from his starting berth.
7 CM – Alexis Mac Allister
Last year, Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister admitted he would love to play in Spain one day, for Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Just hold your horses, ay Mac. Liverpool hit the jackpot when bringing Brighton’s rising talent to Anfield for just £35m in 2023. He steered the club toward resurgence last year and has been a quiet leader and influence in the centre this season, as Slot’s side head toward the Premier League title.
8 AM – Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szobozlai: Liverpool’s veritable life-blood.
The Hungarian has really come into his own over these past few months, with a gas tank to marvel at and an all-encompassing game that compelled Jurgen Klopp to pay £60m for his services back in 2023.
He’s not going anywhere.
9 RW – Mohamed Salah
Whether Mohamed Salah stays or goes depends on the push-and-pull at the negotiating table. At £350k per week, he’s the highest earner in Liverpool’s history.
Richard Hughes certainly has his work cut out, but we reckon the sporting director will placate the masses by engineering an extension.
10 LW – Cody Gakpo
Luis Diaz is about to enter the penultimate year of his contract and is among the players Liverpool may cash in on this summer, but Cody Gakpo’s going nowhere.
The Netherlands forward sits second in Liverpool’s scoring charts with 16 goals, without question Slot’s standout forward with Salah notwithstanding.