When Liverpool said goodbye to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson last month, most of a Liverpool persuasion expected Arne Slot to be in charge at the start of the 2026/27 season, tasked with leading a much-needed resurgence.
However, FSG convened and decided to part ways with the Dutch tactician, surprising a few. But it had to be done. Slot's Liverpool in their second season fell to pre Jurgen Klopp levels of mediocrity, and rebuilding from the same bricks might have been more dangerous than starting afresh.
Liverpool's Recent Premier League Finishes
Season
25/26
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
19/20
Thanks to England's European co-efficient ranking, Liverpool's fifth-place finish has still seen them secure a ticket onto the Champions League plane, but FSG know the importance of providing new head coach Andoni Iraola with fresh parts to build a title-winning project on Merseyside.
Liverpool in talks to sign Premier League midfielder
Further changes are on the horizon for Liverpool. In midfield, this is especially true. Curtis Jones continues to attract interest from Inter Milan - and he seems open to the potential move to Italy.
While the pursuit of forwards such as Yan Diomande remains ongoing, Liverpool need to sort out their own furniture too, and the dismal form and anticipated interest in Alexis Mac Allister means that Liverpool need to target a top midfielder.
The midfield market is cluttered and it is confusing. Who to sign? Who is even affordable? These are problems for sporting director Richard Hughes to wrestle with, but news has emerged of a target who sits high in FSG's thinking.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are lurking in the background as Manchester United push to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, having held talks with the Portuguese midfielder's representatives this month.
Mateus-Fernandes-West-Ham
The 22-year-old is one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League, but with the midfield market having gone into overdrive, West Ham have transfer-listed him at a staggering £80m, and that's in spite of their relegation to the second tier.
Why Fernandes could be a Mac Allister upgrade at Liverpool
Fernandes has suffered back-to-back relegations from the Premier League, but in spite of this, he remains one of the most sought-after midfielders in English football, described a "superstar" of a player by football writer Joost van der Leij.
At Liverpool, he could realise the height of his towering potential, establishing himself as the perfect Mac Allister replacement.
Fernandes is an all-action midfielder with bundles of energy and combative defending. These elements underpin an elegance and creativity on the ball that really suggests he could become a leading man in the Premier League down the line.
There is something Mac Allister-esque in his completeness, and that might underline FSG's interest and the desire to bring him over in the Argentine's stead.
After all, Mac Allister was arguably Liverpool's biggest underperformer this season, and change would be best for all parties.
Premier League Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Chances created*
Possession lost*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Duels (won)*
He has been a shell of his former vigorous self, and while Liverpool's downfall has been a deep and convoluted thing, there's no question that Slot must have been frustrated by the inexplicable decline of his 27-year-old lieutenant.
Could Fernandes prove an instant upgrade? It's fair to say that, even as he battled against relegation this season, the Portugal star operated at a high level, a difference-maker for a West Ham side who fought valiantly to the end.
West-Ham-Mateus-Fernandes
Fernandes is the real deal, and now, Liverpool need to add him to their ranks, especially when considering the blow it would strike against Old Trafford.
But when considering Iraola's high-octane attacking system, Fernandes could be the perfect conduit in the middle of the pitch, pulling strings and connecting the dots.
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