After playing every possible match in the 2021/22 season, Liverpool’s attention now turns to getting ready to go again as they look to bounce back from a disappointing end to the campaign.
Jurgen Klopp’s side fell just short in the Premier League and Champions League final and with Manchester City welcoming Erling Haaland to their ranks, the Reds have to strengthen themselves.
Liverpool’s front line has been a strength for so many seasons now but change is in the air at Anfield and the club look set to spend big as they go in search of their main targets.
Here’s what a perfect summer would look like for Liverpool...
Goalkeeper
There’s unlikely to be much to report on the goalkeeper front at Anfield in the coming weeks.
Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher give Klopp two strong options and unless Kelleher decides to go in search of more regular first-team football, there is no need for Liverpool to make any changes in the position.
Defence
In: Ramsay
Out: Phillips, Williams
Bringing in cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only real item on the agenda at the back for Liverpool this summer. Aberdeen teenager Calvin Ramsay would provide just that, likely for a fee in the region of only £4m.
Joe Gomez is entering the final two years of his contract and a decision will have to be made on his future - his ability to fill in at both centre-back and right-back means it makes sense to keep him at the club.
Nat Phillips and Neco Williams helped Bournemouth and Fulham respectively to secure Premier League promotion and now seems the best time for Liverpool to sell the pair, with permanent moves to those clubs on the cards.
Midfield
In: Gavi
Out: Oxlade-Chamberlain
Barcelona’s Gavi has a release clause of £42.5million and his current contract at the Nou Camp runs out at the end of next season. The La Liga side are keen for the 17-year-old to renew, and to change that release clause, but negotiations are yet to be successful and if Liverpool could swoop in, it would be an incredible signing for the Reds.
James Milner has extended his contract and there is a call to make on Naby Keita’s future, with just 12 months to go on his current deal. A contract extension makes most sense, with Keita offering a strong option even if he is not necessarily first-choice.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should be sold if a buyer can be found, though any fee is unlikely to be significantly more than £10m.
Attack
In: Nunez
Out: Mane, Minamino
Liverpool already have Fabio Carvalho joining this summer, with the 19-year-old’s move on a five-year-deal officially going through on July 1. He’ll provide further competition out on the wings as well an attacking option from midfield if needed.
Darwin Nunez is evidently the club’s primary target in the window, after he scored 32 goals for Benfica this season. He would add a different dimenson to the attack, as an out-and-out striker to go with the goals from Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz out wide.
Getting Salah to sign a new contract would be as significant as any new signing, as the Egyptian enters the final year of his contract with his future still uncertain.
Sadio Mane looks set to leave for Bayern Munich and Liverpool can use that fee to help fund a Nunez bid, while Divock Origi has left on a free transfer and Takumi Minamino looks to have no regular first-team future with the Reds - a sale this summer makes sense.
