Liverpool are facing another summer of transition after finishing the season trophyless, but what are their transfer priorities?
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, interacts with Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers and Jarrod Bowen of England as they prepare to be substituted during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
England internationals Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Morgan Rogers have all been linked with move to Liverpool(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
View Image
When Liverpool spent a staggering £446m in last summer's transfer market, many expected Arne Slot's side to romp to a second consecutive Premier League title, but the reality couldn't have been more different.
Their first real marker of intent was the £116m capture of young German superstar Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, after the talented playmaker had been expected to join Bayern Munich.
Big money was also spent on Wirtz's team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, who appeared to be the final piece in the jigsaw.
Liverpool had broken their transfer record when securing Wirtz, but they were not done and when they broke it again to snare Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for £125m, there seemed to be no stopping the Reds in their quest for more glory.
But fast-forward 10 months and the Reds are out of all cup competitions and instead of defending their Premier League title, they are facing a battle to finish in the top five just to secure Champions League football next season.
Its fair to say that this was not the plan. Isak struggled with fitness issues before suffering a broken leg, Frimpong and Kerkez have been on a steep learning curve and Florian Wirtz has only been able to show his true ability in spells.
Ekitike plundered 17 goals but his season (and possibly part of next) appears to be over, after suffering what looked like a serious Achilles injury against PSG on Tuesday evening.
The result is a team that has fallen well short of expectations, so what does that mean for next season?
Assuming that Slot clings on to his own position and that he ultimately secures Champions League football, what should his transfer priorities be for the summer? Two of the ECHO's Liverpool FC writers have their say...
Ian Doyle
A player can cost nothing or a fortune, but if they don't fit, they don't fit. And if they're not fit, well, they can't even try to.
There has been an awful lot of the latter for Liverpool with Hugo Ekitike the latest new boy to suffer a serious injury following Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak, while Jeremie Frimpong has had a succession of small setbacks.
For all that the summer business, there was always a suspicion Liverpool were a couple of players short regardless of unavailability. They got away with it last season. They didn't this time.
Where, then, must Liverpool reinforce? For a start, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson going, a quick, strong right-winger and a reliable left-back have to be on the agenda.
Jeremy Jacquet is incoming, but if Ibrahima Konate doesn't agree a new deal, another centre-back will be required. And without doubt Liverpool have to recruit a new right-back and would definitely benefit from a defensive-minded midfielder.
The injury to Ekitike could prompt a rethink over another striker. And if there's a cheaper, experienced option on the table, surely the Reds will be tempted to snap it up.
So, what's that... four definitely and possibly as many as six? And that's without anyone else leaving. It's going to be another very busy summer for Liverpool.
Richard Garnett
When Liverpool spent close to half a billion quid on new players last summer, I didn't know whether to be absolutely terrified or jump for joy. Turns out my initial instinct was the right one.
Arne Slot has failed to successfully integrate his new stock into anything that looks like a cohesive unit, but as the club has spent a small fortune on them, simply offloading is not an option. Instead, he must spend again to try to get the right blend of players and a squad depth that can ensure competitiveness on all fronts.
He will also need to bring in proper leaders after the departures of Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. Marc Guehi, anyone? Too late.
Robertson's exit leaves things a bit short at left-back, but the Reds have also had injury problems at right-back. So, how about bringing in a familiar face who can play both? Neco Williams has enjoyed a solid season with Nottingham Forest and now has the experience to back up the promise he showed as a youngster trying to break into Jurgen Klopp's side. It all makes sense to me.
Liverpool's midfield simply wasn't up to scratch this season, with stars of the previous campaign failing to live up to their previous achievements. We may see departures here, and I won't lose much sleep over any of them, but the vital change needs to be getting more aggression into the side and someone who can really take charge of the engine room, making sure the dirty work gets done.
Another Forest player - Elliot Anderson - will be in hot demand this summer. But if he proves difficult to pull then someone with a similar skillset will do. Less flashy players often slip under the radar but this is why clubs have extensive scouting networks. Find us a player who likes tackling and we're halfway there.
Luis Diaz was never replaced and Mohamed Salah is leaving, so wingers are a big deal. Anthony Gordon has come close to joining the Reds previously, but Liverpool will need two this time. Bradley Barcola is not an automatic starter for PSG. Could he be an option?
Yan Diomonde is a 19-year-old rising star with RB Leipzig. The thought of having both the Ivorian and Rio Ngumoha to choose from is enticing.
With Hugo Ekitike possibly facing a sustained spell on the sidelines a bit more firepower up to top is only matched by the urgent need for more leaders. And that's why I think Jarrod Bowen could be the perfect choice for Liverpool on a two-year deal.
He has all the qualities to succeed in the Premier League, and where his age profile doesn't fit the FSG model, his experience and leadership qualities most certainly do.
Hopefully, all of that won't cost £446m.