After winning the Premier League title the year prior and splashing over £450m on new additions last summer, very few people would have predicted Liverpool to finish fifth during 2025/26.
Such a finish was deemed a failure by the Reds’ hierarchy, resulting in Arne Slot being handed his marching orders after just two years at helm on Merseyside.
Andoni Iraola has been chosen as the man to take the reins at Anfield, with the Spaniard penning a two-year contract but it also includes an option for a third.
andoni-iraola-bournemouth-tottenham-premier-league
The 43-year-old has huge expectations on his shoulders to lead the club back up the Premier League table and fight for titles in the immediate and long-term future.
However, if he is to be a success on Merseyside, the hierarchy may have to get their chequebook out once more and hand the boss the funds he needs to make the desired impact.
Liverpool start work on signing £70m star this summer
Liverpool’s squad certainly possesses a lot of quality across the board, but Iraola will be wanting to add a sprinkle of added talent in key areas of the senior ranks.
The attacking department is in need of reinforcements after Mohamed Salah’s departure, with RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande just one player on their radar.
Yan Diomande for RB Leipzig
It’s been reported that the 19-year-old is already open to a switch to Anfield this window, but an agreement between the two clubs is still yet to be reached.
The backline could also benefit from added investment this summer, which could see Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo swap the Midlands for Merseyside.
According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool have already started work behind the scenes to land the Brazilian star, with their scouting of the player seriously intensifying.
The report states that the 23-year-old is hugely admired by staff behind the scenes and has been on the club’s shortlist over the last couple of windows.
However, an agreement could be tricky to reach this summer, after the youngster penned a new deal, which could result in a fee of £70m being required for his services.
Why Murillo would be a better signing than Diomande
The need for a new right-winger at Liverpool this window is there for all to see after Salah’s departure, resulting in Diomande becoming the club’s top target.
RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande in action with Borussia Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini
The 19-year-old ended his first season in the Bundesliga on 12 goals and eight assists - undoubtedly exceeding all of the expectations placed upon him.
Despite the Reds’ interest in securing a move for the Ivorian international, Champions League winners PSG are also said to be monitoring the youngster’s progress ahead of the window.
Most combined G+As in the Bundesliga (2025/26)
Player
Harry Kane
Michael Olise
Luis Diaz
Deniz Undav
Christoph Baumgartner
Yan Diomande
Andrej Kramaric
Patrik Schick
As much as £120m could be required to prise the teenager away from Ole Werner’s men this window - but it’s unclear how much Iraola’s side are willing to fork out for his services.
There’s no denying Diomande is a top-level talent and will only get better during the years ahead, but it would be a huge risk spending such a fee on a player with just one year’s experience in Europe’s top-five leagues.
A move for Murillo could prove to be a phenomenal piece of business this summer, with the Forest star a player who has thrived in the Premier League over the last three years, described as "monstrous" by journalist Ryan Taylor.
Nottingham Forest's Murillo applauds fans after the match
The 23-year-old has racked up over 100 appearances since his £11m move from Corinthians - even popping up on the shortlist of Chelsea in recent times.
A move to Liverpool would solve ongoing issue within the senior ranks, as Murillo is a ball-playing left-footed option - something which Liverpool have desperately lacked.
Jeremy Jacquet has already agreed a deal to move to Anfield this summer, but the Frenchman is a right-footed defender and seen as Virgil van Dijk’s long-term replacement.
As a result, Murillo’s name could well be at the top of the hierarchy’s shortlist, with his stats this term demonstrating his all-round quality in the defensive third.
He managed to make 4.3 ball recoveries per 90 in the Premier League this season - with such a tally ranking him within the top 10% of all defenders in the division.
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Other tallies, such as 1.4 interceptions and 1.5 tackles made per 90, also highlight his superb ability to regain the ball and prevent the opposition from getting in on goal.
However, Murillo has also thrived with the ball at his feet - subsequently completing 50% of his long passes, leading to commentator Jamie Martin labelling him as “world-class."
Nottingham Forest's Murillo in action with Fenerbahce's Jayden Oosterwolde
£70m would be yet another expensive deal for Liverpool this summer, but it would see the club land a Premier League-proven star who can adapt to Iraola’s demands.
A move for Diomande may be at the forefront of the supporters’ minds at the minute, but a move for the Forest star could be on that trumps the Ivorian’s in the long-term.
Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson applauds fans after the match Related
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