Liverpool is still working toward bringing Florian Wirtz to Anfield next season, with Reds fans hoping the German star will be on board for next season’s Premier League title defense.
Two offers have already been rejected by Bayer Leverkusen as Liverpool looks to reach an agreement for what would be a club record transfer. The Reds seemingly have a free run at the 22-year-old, with Manchester City having already pulled out of the race, while Bayern Munich seems to have admitted defeat and moved on to other targets.
There is still some work to be done behind the scenes, and the potential for one of Liverpool’s current crop to move in the opposite direction in order to sweeten the deal. All being well though, Wirtz will be on board as Arne Slot plots next season’s title defense.
The Liverpool boss of course already has one new face in his ranks, with Jeremie Frimpong completing his move last week. Assuming his former Leverkusen teammate follows him to Merseyside, the pair could be part of a much-changed line-up for next season.
More signings will be expected this summer, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez looking the most likely to follow if/when a deal for Wirtz is completed.
And a new striker will also be high up on the shopping list, with no shortage of names being linked. According to Sky Sports, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko have all been shortlisted as options.
It could be another name that Liverpool ends up with though. Julian Alvarez is a player the Reds are already well acquainted with, especially after making a play for him last summer, and the latest claims regarding Atletico Madrid may well pique the interest of Richard Hughes and co at Anfield.
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer
Julian Alvarez has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer (Image: Europa Press 2025)
Reports have suggested that Diego Simeone’s side is targeting Viktor Gyokeres, which may well hint at Atletico being prepared to sell Alvarez this summer. If the opportunity is there, it’s one that would almost certainly interest Liverpool.
Should the Reds manage to land all three of those players to go along with Frimpong, they could all go straight into Slot’s side for next season’s title defense.
Frimpong would of course replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back following his exit for Real Madrid, with Kerkez stepping in to replace Andy Robertson, with the Scot likely to have to accept a reduced role in the future.
Alvarez would of course take the No.9 role, replacing Luis Diaz in the process after the Colombian emerged as perhaps viable option amid Diogo Jota’s injury problems and struggles for form, as well as the ongoing frustrations surrounding Darwin Nunez.
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With Diaz also being linked with a departure as Barcelona looks as though it could be stepping up its interest, that could leave a fairly simple decision for Slot with his frontline, with Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah either side of Alvarez.
Wirtz’s arrival would make things a little more complicated in midfield, however. The Leverkusen star will be expected to slot straight in, likely as the No.10, meaning Dominik Szoboszlai would be the most likely to make way, going into a backup role for Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate keep their usual spots at the heart of the defense, although Liverpool could do with signing a new center-back if it can this summer. Meanwhile, despite the impending arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson Becker should retain his spot as the Reds’ No.1 goalkeeper, with the Georgian becoming the new deputy as Caoimhin Kelleher departs.
Possible 2025/26 Liverpool line-up: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Alvarez.