Argentine footballer Lionel Messi gestures to the fans at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium during the Lionel Messi G.O.A.T Tour on December 15, 2025 in Delhi, India.placeholder image
Argentine footballer Lionel Messi gestures to the fans at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium during the Lionel Messi G.O.A.T Tour on December 15, 2025 in Delhi, India. | Getty Images
Liverpool have been linked with several players already this month as Arne Slot looks for ways to improve the Reds' performances
Liverpool are now preparing for one of their toughest tests for a number of weeks as they head to North London to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday night.
Arne Slot’s side dramatically drew 2-2 with Fulham on Sunday as two goals in stoppage-time saw the spoils shared. Ex-Liverpool man Harry Wilson put Fulham in front in the first half but Florian Wirtz responded in the second half for the Reds.
Cody Gakpo then bundled in with four minutes played in injury time. The Liverpool players celebrated jubilantly in front of the away fans but Harrison Reed lashed in a thunderous equaliser just minutes later as the sides settled for a point.
Liverpool have had a poor season when considering their £450m spending in the summer transfer window. They are all-but out of the title race and focusing on securing a place in the Champions League for next season.
They have been linked to some new additions this month - and here’s how Arne Slot’s XI could look if any of those reports come to fruition.
Goalkeeper and defence
Alisson Becker remains in goal while Conor Bradley is starting to show he should be Slot’s number one right-back after providing a great assist for Wirtz against Fulham. At left-back, Slot appears keen to stick with Milos Kerkez.
At centre-back, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have had some tough games this campaign but the latter’s performances have been concerning.
Midfield and attack
The midfield is arguably one of Slot’s strongest areas with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai both performing well this season. The likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have had roles to play too but neither has been a consistent starter.
Alexander Isak is also out for a period with a broken leg while Mohamed Salah is at AFCON.
Liverpool are not the only European club said to be considering a move. With some injury problems in the Reds squad, a short-term loan could prove a shrewd move.
The Netherlands international, who has made 108 appearances for and remains a key part of the Oranje side captained by Virgil van Dijk, has been ‘closely monitored’ by Liverpool as a potential replacement for Isak to offer more support to Hugo Ekitike in attack.
New Liverpool line-up if rumours are true: Alisson, Bradley, Van Dijk, Ordonez, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Messi, Depay, Wirtz.
Continue Reading