Improvements needed
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come under pressure at times this season after his team’s meagre title defence. What the Dutchman did in his first season at Anfield, winning Liverpool the Premier League for just the second time, was an incredible achievement. But the Reds will be trophy-less this campaign. They are however now in a fantastic position to secure a top-five finish and therefore Champions League qualification after their Merseyside derby win on Sunday.
With that, Slot is now expected to continue as Liverpool head coach next season, according to multiple reports. Last summer, the club laid out a whopping €483 million on transfer fees, but it’s been to little avail thus far. Liverpool will need another big summer to compete for the Premier League title once more, and here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out some key areas that the Reds should target when the window opens and going forward into next season.
A budget Mohamed Salah replacement?
Mohamed Salah may have not had his best final season at Liverpool, but what he’s done at the club has been phenomenal. He will always be the Kop’s Egyptian King. Replacing him is going to be an almighty task. Realistically, given Liverpool’s spending last summer, Michael Olise (market value: €140m) is going to be out of their reach. The same can be said of Paris Saint-Germain’s Désiré Doué (€90m). However, Jeremie Frimpong has probably shown his most promising signs as a right-winger rather than a right-back, so perhaps targeting a younger talent at right-wing to share the load with the Dutchman may be the smartest play. With this in mind, I have picked out three right-wingers with a market value of €50m or less, who have the potential to blow up at Anfield.
Monaco’s right-winger Maghnes Akliouche has a current market value of €50m and has been linked with top Premier League clubs for some time now. He already has seven caps for France and is still only 24 years old. Another option, but I will admit a controversial one, could be arch-rivals Everton’s Iliman N’diaye. Although it seems unlikely that the Toffees will allow him to leave for their Merseyside foes, the offer of Champions League football could be appealing for the Senegalese international. The third option is West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen (€35m) – at 29, age may not be on his side, but the Englishman is Premier League proven.
A new right-back
As aforementioned, Frimpong is just not suited to play as a right-back in a back four in the Premier League. Conor Bradley is, but has had consistent fitness issues and can’t be relied upon right now. Newcastle’s Tino Livramento (€40m) seems like an ideal fit for Liverpool – he is solid defensively, has plenty of energy, and is a threat going forward. However, he himself has had numerous injury issues which could put the Reds off. Another option could be Roma’s Wesley (€40m), who is expected to start for Brazil at the World Cup, and has been very impressive in Serie A. Unlike Livramento, he doesn’t have any experience of the Premier League and may take time to adapt.
CB reinforcements
Liverpool have needed to address the centre-back position for some time. Captain Virgil van Dijk is entering the twilight of his career and performances are naturally likely to continue to dwindle. Ibrahima Konaté’s future remains uncertain with his current contract set to expire in June. The Reds already splashed out €64m for Jérémy Jacquet in the winter – he will arrive in the summer and Liverpool will need to use him. They also have another young centre-half in Giovanni Leoni, who has unfortunately missed most of his first campaign at Anfield through injury, but is expected to return in pre-season for next term.
Player Comparison
Stade Rennais FC
Liverpool FC
€55.00m
Market Value
€25.00m
Centre-Back
Position
Centre-Back
30/06/2029
Contract until
30/06/2031
Full Player Comparison
So Liverpool have plenty of young talent in that position and the experience of van Dijk, but they could do with adding a centre-half in his prime to boost their numbers. Tottenham’s Micky van De Ven has a current market value of €65m, but that could fall in the upcoming update and if Spurs are to get relegated he could be available for a lower fee. Another option could be Crystal Palace’s pacey Maxence Lacroix (€40M) or perhaps even a left-field option of Jakub Kiwior (€27m) who can also play at left-back.
Give Rio Ngumoha a chance
Another area where Liverpool could look to save money is left-wing, by giving game-time to mercurial talent Rio Ngumoha. The 17-year-old has already made an impact in the first-team this season, scoring two Premier League goals, and could save the Reds millions of pounds if he can develop into a regular starter. The talent is there. With him and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool have two genuine options on the left flank and can invest money elsewhere.
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