Where Liverpool Must Strengthen This Summer

It’s fair to say that the 2025/26 season hasn’t gone as planned for defending Premier League champions Liverpool. After winning the league last season, the summer recruitment drive that followed was expected to see them successfully defend their crown, or at least have a good go at doing so. After a disappointing top-flight campaign, all eyes are on how Liverpool approach the upcoming summer transfer window as they look to bounce back.

An Elite Central Defender

Keeping the ball out of the back of the net has been a problem for Liverpool all season, with some of the defending leaving a lot to be desired. While the club recruited Giovanni Leoni last summer and will see Jeremy Jacquet arrive from Stade Rennais, they’re both young players at 19 and 20, respectively, and both are currently out with serious injuries.

Captain Virgil van Dijk is contracted to the club for a further season, but his regular partner at the back, Ibrahima Konate, is yet to pen a new deal and could depart on a free transfer this summer. After missing out on Marc Guehi, who signed for rivals Manchester City in January, Liverpool need to bring in an elite central defender who can make a difference alongside Van Dijk immediately.

A Replacement For Salah

While Mo Salah is still featuring regularly for Liverpool, it has been confirmed that he will leave this summer. Salah, 33, has become less effective this season than he’s ever been, arguably because of how manager Arne Slot wants his team to play. The forward, who goes down in history as one of the club’s all-time greats, spoke out against the club and Slot before heading off to AFCON, so a parting of ways could suit all parties.

The problem is replacing Salah. Slot is looking for players who are going to get more involve in the action in both directions, strong ball carriers, while still being able to deliver goals. With the Salah of old in the Liverpool side, football betting online always favoured a win for the Reds. However, if they fail to find a suitable replacement, the outlook will be a lot different.

Finally Replacing Luis Diaz

When Luis Diaz left Liverpool to join Bayern Munich, some people were left stunned that the club never replaced him. The Colombian, who operated predominantly on the left, had everything you could want in a left winger: pace, dribbling skills, the ability to beat a man, and he scored goals. While Cody Gakpo has impressed previously wide left, he’s become part of a situation where Slot’s forward line lacks dynamism.

Even if Slot wants to continue with Gakpo operating from that position, Liverpool arguably need to bring in someone to challenge him, ideally a player who offers something a bit different. The club have Rio Ngumoha in and around the first team squad, but at 17, it’s a lot of pressure to put on a teenager’s shoulders.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool spent a lot of money last summer and, in doing so, recruited some excellent footballers. But you could argue they’ve been worse for it because there was seemingly a lack of strategy. Instead of signing both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, they could have brought in a top-level central defender or a left winger. This summer will be the club’s chance to add some balance to the squad, which should pay dividends next season.