Who are Liverpool Most Likely to Sign with Andoni Iraola To Take Over

Underwhelming is putting it mildly. The Slot disaster-class of last season has left many positions in the team hanging, with most of the boys regressing last season. Only Rio Ngumoha could be said to have improved during the past 12 months, which only highlighted the cracks that had been papered over by winning the title in 24/25.

Andoni Iraola will have a job on his hands, not only to integrate the likes of Wirtz or the injured Isak, but to figure out a way to stop the bleeding on the flanks and in the midfield.

Liverpool Transfers

One way to do it is by signing new players. It is difficult to assume that the £450 million war chest of yesteryear will be available once again, but it doesn't have to be. Liverpool is probably three or four players away from being in title contention next spring.

Having said that, who are players most likely to join the Reds this summer?

Yan Diomandé

With Mohamed Salah gone, we are in desperate need of thrust up front, and RB Leipzig's teenage superstar Yan Diomandé has emerged as the most likely replacement. The Ivorian winger has all the traits of a Liverpool signing. He's aggressive, works off the ball, and has an uncanny eye for goal scoring 13 in 36 games in the Bundesliga last term.

The reported price of £80 million isn't outrageous either for a proven teenage superstar with a ceiling as high as Diomande's. Liverpool is also on good terms with the German side, having previously pitched Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai. The chances of Diomandé playing at Anfield next season are unusually high, with more Liverpool sports betting bonus transfer odds available throughout the summer.

Kroupi Jr.

Another likely Salah replacement – not in terms of like-for-like position but in terms of long-term effect – might be found at Iraola's old home, Bournemouth FC. The rumor mill is pitching Kroupi Jr., the teenager debutant with the most goals in the Premier League with 13, as the next Liverpool man.

The price might be too steep, though. The 19-year-old Frenchman won't be priced away from Vitality for anything south of £90 million, but should the checkbook allow, Liverpool will have solved a forward position for the next 10 years. Also, Iraola would certainly welcome the opportunity to continue shaping the young French diamond.

Alex Scott & Adam Wharton

The middle of the park is also a concern for the Basque. Ryan Gravenberch fell off the cliff and didn't look like a player from the sensational title-winning season, while concerns over McAllister's form are now impossible to ignore. Likewise, Federico Chiesa looks to be out of the door for the next reason.

With Elliot Anderson most likely joining Man City, Liverpool emerged as the frontrunners to sign Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who both had sensational seasons. The former has led Bournemouth to their highest position in the top flight and the club’s first European campaign, while Wharton has secured European silverware to Selhurst by helping the team win the Conference League.

Both are prem-proven, can play high press, and would bring the necessary steel to Liverpool's middle. Don't be surprised if both of them come through the door.

The New-Look Reds

As the club's retained list has confirmed the departure of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate and Rhys Williams, Liverpool are in desperate need of numbers as well as quality. Other players from the rumor mill include the unlikely bid for Warren Zaïre-Emery, Sporting's Francisco Trincão, and the sensational return of Darwin Nunez to Anfield.

Bet that as it may, the Kop is in for a hot summer.