How often has a Premier League side won the title at a canter but entered the summer transfer window with big question marks hanging over the state of their squad. That’s the conundrum Arne Slot faces this summer, with a busy off-season of transfer activity expected in Merseyside.
One of the blockbuster targets being touted with a move to Liverpool is Bayer Leverkusen gem Florian Wirtz, who is also attracting interest from Manchester City and Bayern Munich. The German could be one of several additions to Slot’s side this summer, with Express Sport taking a look at their potential starting XI if Liverpool land all of their targets.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Starting out between the sticks where it’s much of the same for Liverpool. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to arrive in the summer, but the Georgian is unlikely to oust Alisson Becker out of his No.1 spot just yet.
Defence: Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez
Defence is where the biggest changes to Liverpool’s starting XI could come, given Trent Alexander-Arnold is heading for the exit door and Andrew Robertson has also struggled for form at times this year. Jeremie Frimpong appears the most natural replacement for Alexander-Arnold on the right-hand side, with Milos Kerkez a similarly suitable option on the opposite flank. An outlay of around £75million could be needed to lure them to Liverpool, with the trusty duo of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate marshalling things in the middle.
Midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz
The midfield has been credited as being one of Liverpool’s strongest assets this season, but if a talent like Wirtz is available, he’s the sort of player who walks right in as the creative spark. Partner him with the dynamism of Alexis Mac Allister and the work rate of Ryan Gravenberch and Liverpool could be taken to the next level.
Attack: Diaz, Ekitike, Salah
Finding a settled striker has been one of the tasks that Slot hasn’t been able to complete this term, with Darwin Nunez’s minutes having often come from the bench. That could be remedied by Hugo Ekitike, who has netted 15 times for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and could be available for a rumoured £85m. Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah will be there either side to service the prospective centre-forward addition.