What should Liverpool’s transfer window look like?

The transfer window is always the most speculation-filled time of the year, where fans have to wade through a forest of lies to unearth a nugget of truth and reality, but it’s part of football fandom and well all be thinking about what we want our club to do this summer.

I think Liverpool need four or five signings this window, and here’s how I’d do it, in order of priority:

CENTRE-BACK

This is surely the most pressing concern. After Joel Matip’s departure, the Reds are left with just Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah. The latter two of those prefer the right-hand side, so a centre-back that can comfortably play from the left, providing competition for Van Dijk, depth in the position and the possibility of playing three centre-backs if we want to, is a must. Bologna’s Ricardo Calafiori would be an excellent option - 22 years old and possesses the physical and technical attributes. A slightly younger option might be 19-year-old Ousmane Diomande, who has been excellent for Sporting CP, but is right-footed. In many ways, the perfect option would be Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite; young, left-footed, massive, good on the ball, homegrown. But, there’s no chance Everton will sell their prized asset to us. Perhaps a cheaper alternative would be Hull City’s Jacob Greaves, who possesses all of those attributes and can also cover left-back.

LEFT-BACK

Kostas Tsimikas will surely be moved on, and Andy Robertson is no longer quite the player he was. The most commonly-linked player has been Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has had a strong season with Wolves. I like him, but I also like Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, who might be a little bit cheaper too. Wildcard options could be Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth, or Alfie Doughty - I loved how he played as a wing-back for Luton this season.

FORWARD

It feels highly likely that at least one of Liverpool’s five senior forwards will leave the club this summer. Clearly, the biggest issue with the attack this season was being clinical and finishing. Newcastle striker Alexander Isak was a king of that this season, and would fill the central striking berth. He would be expensive, though. It’s probably the same story of Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has absolutely ripped it up in Portugal for Ruben Amorim’s team, and has some experience of English football with Coventry. Of course, it may be that Arne Slot wants a wide player rather than a central one, depending on which of the existing group depart, so how about the best player in the Championship this season; Crysencio Summerville? I’d love Michael Olise at Crystal Palace, but given their superb end to the season, it feels a bit unlikely.

GOALKEEPER

One that would only be needed if, as is assumed, Caoimhin Kelleher leaves Liverpool this summer. Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson has been linked, and would be a good standard of backup, whilst ticking the homegrown box. There’s James Trafford at Burnley, but would they be willing to part with him less than a year after they spent big money on him? If we’re thinking about relegated clubs, then Thomas Kaminski could be a great pick-up. He’s been tremendous for Luton this season and is someone you’d feel comfortable with for the odd game here and there, which is what we’re looking for. Of course, the club may go for someone at the other end of the age scale; a vastly experienced head who would cost nothing, such as Lukasz Fabianski.

 

MIDFIELD

There will be some who feel that a top-class defensive midfielder is a necessity for Liverpool this summer. I would argue that if Slot plays 4-2-3-1, we can probably get by for another season with Alexis Mac Allister, Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo all sharing the responsibility in a double pivot. There’s also a real dearth of top-class DMs around, but if we do step into that market, the answer for me would be Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli. Remarkably cultured and surprisingly strong, he has all the attributes needed but if he has a good Euros for Italy, his price will sky-rocket. I’m a bit fan of Vitinha at PSG and I think he has quietly been one of the best players in France this season, and could probably be comfortable in a duo. These would both be extremely expensive, so a more realistic option could be Celtic’s Matt O’Riley - the best player in Scotland by such a margin it’s not even funny. Eighteen goals and thirteen assists from midfield this season. Jesus. Finally, a player I’ve always admired from afar is Pascal Gross of Brighton. One of the smartest and most technically mature footballers you’ll come across, Gross can play in so many different positions, has had a real renaissance this season and even at 32, could offer some of the maturity and game-smarts that Liverpool lacked so much this season.

So, there we go. I’ve suggested four options for each position we might look at, so what would your selection be for each position?

Daniel