Liverpool have signed Alexis Mac Allister so far but further transfers are expected to follow in the coming weeks. What does Jurgen Klopp’s ideal squad look like for next season?
Liverpool have had plenty of time to ponder what the dream transfer scenario could be this summer as Jurgen Klopp’s side need significant improvements from last season to start the new season.
Without Champions League football and the income from it, Liverpool will have to keep investing as they have already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and will need more signings in the coming weeks.
What would the perfect dream scenario for Liverpool look like? Firstly, with the window not closing until September 1, the Reds are looking to close the deal well before then. But what about the positions to be strengthened and any names that could help in this process?
Let’s start with the goalkeeper and the attacking units: these would remain the same in an ideal world. Both are well equipped and of high quality. The only changes required are when someone pushes away. In this case, they should be replaced.
Much more drastic changes are needed in midfield. Mac Allister has already arrived, but two more players are needed. There are four midfielders left, but none played that many minutes: Mac Allister played more minutes in the Premier League last season than all of them combined.
Khéphren Thuram looks like the best option for those Liverpool are considering. Take French and Mac Allister and there would be room for a more ‘project’ styled player as a third addition, one who will need some time to adjust and eventually take the place of some of the aging stars at the heart of the game.
Gabri Veiga is an exciting talent who would fit into that category for a realistic amount of money. The defense also needs some work.
Micky van de Ven has spoken a few times that he is interested in a move to Liverpool and while the Reds are looking more at left centre-backs than right wingers, someone who could fill in at right-back as well as play in the center would be beneficial. Joe Gomez is there, but he’s a very different kind of fullback to Trent Alexander-Arnold
Arsenal are thrilled for Ajax’s Jurriën Timber after an initial bid of $38m (£30m/€35m) was rejected (with the Dutch outfit wanting $64m/50m £/€58m), as reported by The Athletic, but Liverpool would take a good look at the 21-year-old. Someone like Timber could be the ideal match for now and for the future.
As for expenses, there are no discount names to cash in on. It makes little sense to sell Joël Matip or Thiago Alcântara a year before their contracts expire, with the money each could bring in relatively little. They can be kept too, especially Thiago, who can be used as a luxury when fit and available, without having to rely on every week.
Taking all these changes into account and taking younger players like Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon out of the equation, even though they can and will add to the squad at times, here’s what the ideal Liverpool squad would look like for next season’s four transfers:
