Liverpool has already agreed a deal to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, but there are still several pressing priorities for the Reds this summer — including replacing Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson
Matthew Abbott
08:27, 18 May 2026Updated 08:36, 18 May 2026
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool this summer
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool faces another consequential transfer window this summer and has stolen a march on rivals after securing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet earlier in the year.
The central defender will arrive at Anfield from Rennes to strengthen a backline that has shipped over 50 goals in the Premier League this season. Despite spending around $600 million last summer, several areas of concern remain within the current squad.
Andy Robertson and Mohammed Salah represent the most pressing worries, with both players set to depart. Both require replacing, as would Allison should the Brazil international also move on. Ibrahima Konate has yet to commit to a new deal.
READ MORE: Gary Neville blasts Mohamed Salah after Liverpool statement - 'I would be fuming'READ MORE: Gary Neville outlines Liverpool theory after Xabi Alonso to Chelsea confirmed
Jacquet could fill the void left by his fellow Frenchman; however, there remains a sense that Liverpool's No. 5 will opt to extend his stay rather than walk away on a free transfer.
Retaining Konate would lessen the urgency for another central defensive addition, with Virgil van Dijk expected to remain and Giovanni Leoni anticipated to return from injury at some point this summer.
At full-back, Conor Bradley is unlikely to feature until next year, leaving the injury-prone duo of Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez as the available options on the right.
Yan Diomande has enjoyed a productive season with RB Leipzig
Yan Diomande has enjoyed a productive season with RB Leipzig(Image: Getty Images)
Bringing in an alternative would be prudent to avoid the need to shift Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai out of their midfield roles.
Robertson, however, needs to be replaced on the left flank. His successor could well be the returning Kostas Tsimikas rather than a fresh addition, following the signing of Milos Kerkez during last summer's spending spree. There is sufficient midfield depth, provided there are no departures, as long as Jones and Szoboszlai are not deployed as makeshift right-backs.
The caliber of certain central midfielders has come into question this season, particularly Alexis Mac Allister, though there are other, more urgent areas to address.
The wide forward position is the primary concern with Salah on his way out. Rio Ngumoha has caught the eye, but it is wholly unreasonable to expect a teenager to fill the boots of one of Liverpool's greatest ever players.
It is an unenviable challenge for any incoming signing, too, so it would be prudent to spread the responsibility across several acquisitions. The Reds have raided RB Leipzig previously, and doing so again this summer would be a shrewd move.
Article continues below
Antonio Nusa and Yan Diomande are the standout talents in their current squad. Both could feasibly be secured for a combined £150 million ($200 million), with the lion's share of that figure going on the Ivory Coast international.
Much like with Ngumoha, however, burdening players aged 21 and 19 with single-handedly replacing Salah is far from ideal. Bradley Barcola would be a considerable asset as a more established name who has already lifted the Champions League and could do so again before the end of May.
The Paris Saint-Germain player is also capable of operating centrally, similar to Nusa, which would prove valuable next season in lightening the burden on Alexander Isak while Hugo Ekitike remains sidelined until at least autumn. Barcola adds a further £70 million ($93.5 million) to Liverpool's expenditure if those three deals are to go ahead.