Arne Slot's Liverpool are in pole position to retain their Premier League crown, with the champions of England already spending in excess of £250 million in the summer transfer window. However, the Community Shield loss against Crystal Palace on Sunday showed the Reds still have plenty of room for improvement.
The tragic loss of the late number 20 Diogo Jota, along with big-money sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, has left Slot with just three senior attacking options at the top end of his team. Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Cody Gakpo are guaranteed starters for the time being, with youngsters Rio Ngumoha and Ben Doak the only real alternatives.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the only available centre-back options for the Dutch manager. Joe Gomez was sent home from the pre-season tour of Asia with yet another injury, with Wataru Endo, Andy Robertson and Ryan Gravenberch filling the void when needed.
Pep Guardiola is a Huge Fan of Star Liverpool Desperately Need
arne slot liverpool
Despite the glaring depth issues in the squad, it's another area of the pitch where Liverpool are in desperate need of a level-raiser. It's in the centre of the park. Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones are all supremely talented footballers, but not exactly what Slot needs in the number six role.
None of the aforementioned quartet possesses the skillset of one of the most impressive men on the pitch on Sunday, Adam Wharton. The Crystal Palace midfielder ran the game in the English capital and even set up Ismaila Sarr's equaliser, which sent the game to penalties.
He may have only completed 25 of his attempted 37 passes at Wembley, but his intent is the main reason the Reds should be at the front of the queue for his signature. Wharton constantly played with his head up and on the half turn, allowing his progressive passing to shine.
Mac Allister is the most effective player at carrying out the duty of linking defence and attack, but the World Cup-winning star is better deployed in a more advanced position. Partnering him with someone like Wharton would increase the technical capabilities of Slot's side enormously and make them even more dangerous for opposing teams.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has even previously picked Wharton out as a top player. Speaking ahead of a Premier League clash with the Eagles in early 2025, the Catalan-born tactician claimed:
"An excellent holding midfielder. He was in the national team already.
"The impact has been really good, coming from the Championship to the Premier League, brilliant left foot, a really good player."
Liverpool Should Sacrifice Isak Pursuit For Wharton
alexander isak
Alexander Isak is the name on most Liverpool fans' lips, and rightly so. The Newcastle United forward smashed in 23 Premier League goals last term and is possibly the best striker in the division. However, a potential £150m transfer for the Swede presents more risks than guarantees.
Firstly, there's his injury history. Isak has been unavailable for 39 games since joining the Magpies in 2022. Add to that the fact that the Reds have just spent over £70 million on Ekitike, and it becomes unclear how everyone would fit into the forward line at Anfield.
While attacking recruitments are definitely required, the reigning champions should look to invest a large sum in Wharton rather than Isak. With a lot of games to be played across the season, the England international will raise the level of the team while easing the burden on the four rotational options Slot has at his disposal in a vital position. Earlier in the window, GMS sources revealed it would take £100 million to land the 21-year-old.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt and SofaScore. Correct as of 12-08-25.