Liverpool crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after a defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 on penalties.
Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain cancelled each other out over the course of the two legs, but PSG managed to progress on penalties. It was a thrilling contest between the two teams over the course of both legs, and they showcased their qualities in abundance.
However, the two games against PSG have now exposed certain vulnerabilities that Liverpool have, and they will lead to address those concerns during the summer transfer window if they are serious about fighting for major trophies in the coming seasons as well.
While there is no doubt that Arne Slot has a talented squad at his disposal, the Dutch tactician need to keep improving if the Reds want to match up to the European elite every season. Here are the three key areas Liverpool will need to strengthen during the summer transfer window.
A prolific centre-forward
Liverpool are in desperate need of a clinical goalscorer. Diogo Jota has struggled with persistent injury problems, and it seems that his injuries have now caught up with him. The Portuguese international looked toothless over the two legs against PSG, and he is clearly lacking in sharpness right now. Furthermore, even if he manages to discover his top form, his availability remains a major concern. So, Liverpool need to find a replacement for him in the summer.
On the other hand, Liverpool have Darwin Nunez at their disposal, and the Uruguayan international has failed to find the back of the net consistently ever since he moved to the Premier League. He was expected to develop into the next big thing in European football when he joined Liverpool from Benfica. However, his decision-making and finishing ability leave a lot to be desired.
Nunez has constantly frustrated with his decision-making and finishing ability. He has cost Liverpool valuable points with his inability to find the back of the net. Even though the 25-year-old has multiple impressive qualities, he is simply not good enough to lead the line for a club hoping to win Premier League titles and the Champions League regularly.
Liverpool have been overly dependent on Mohammed Salah for goals and creativity, and it will be interesting to see if they can bring in a reliable centre-forward who can score goals consistently and add some much needed cutting edge in the final third.
Liverpool missed a number of opportunities against PSG in the second leg of the tie and they could have easily made it to the quarter-finals of the competition if they had a prolific goalscorer instead of Nunez or Jota. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in the right additions during the summer transfer window and plug the gaps in their squad.
Specialist defensive midfielder
Liverpool have used Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in the defensive midfield role throughout the 2024/25 season, and the two players have done reasonably well. However, Paris Saint-Germain are one of the best teams in the world, and they have exposed Liverpool’s need for a reliable defensive midfielder. A specialist holding midfielder would have helped them breakdown the PSG attacks and win the ball back for their side.
Liverpool struggled to control the midfield against PSG, and they failed to win the ball back consistently. Having a specialist defensive midfielder would not only protect their back four, it would have helped them regain possession quickly.
Furthermore, Mac Allister and Gravenberch are not defensive midfielders, and their true potential is limited when they are used in a more conservative role. Having a quality holding midfielder in the side would allow the two players to express themselves freely, and it would help Liverpool improve as a team.
Liverpool have Wataru Endo at their disposal. However, the Japanese international is in his thirties, and he is not good enough to start for a team hoping to win major trophies. They need to bring in an upgrade, and it will be interesting to see if they can find a solution to their problems.
A goalscoring winger
Along with a quality centre-forward, Liverpool should look to invest in a goalscoring winger as well. Luis Diaz has done reasonably well since joining the club, but he has not been able to find the back of the net with consistency. Someone like Sadio Mane managed to hit 20 goals for the season fairly consistently, and Liverpool have missed a player like him ever since his departure.
Liverpool need a dynamic forward who is capable of slotting anywhere across the front three and is capable of contributing with goals and creativity. Diaz can be quite inconsistent, while Federico Chiesa has not been able to impress the manager sufficiently.
While Cody Gakpo has done quite well from the left-wing position, Slot needs more options at his disposal. Gakpo and Salah are the only wide players at the club capable of scoring fairly consistently, and Liverpool need to add more depth in that area of the pitch.
Liverpool have barely made any signings since the arrival of Arne Slot, and it will be interesting to see if the club hierarchy is willing to back the Dutch manager in the transfer market this summer. The Reds have the bones of a very good squad, and a few intelligent additions could take them to a whole new level. It remains to be seen whether they can sort out their major weaknesses during the summer transfer window and come back strongly next season.