Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy set to rejuvenate the squad this summer, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already signed
Liverpool will kick off the 2023/24 Premier League season with a thrilling opener next month against Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea, with Jurgen Klopp’s side looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last time out.
Klopp and the Reds hierarchy failed to win any silver medals and secure the Champions League.
Liverpool supporters will be pleased with the club’s early summer gains with midfield stars Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister making moves to Anfield, adding much-needed legs and creativity to the center park.
While a third transfer before the summer seems unlikely, it’s hard to imagine just two new players filling the gap of five, if you count Arthur Melo’s return to Juventus.
Links have been made with the likes of Romeo Lavia, Khephren Thuram and Gabri Veiga, while news surfaced last week that the Reds inquired about Levi Colwill’s future at Chelsea, with the 20-year-old set to speak to Pochettino after helped England .
win the Under 21 European Championship. It’s safe to say that the additions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai mean there’s little reason to bolster Klopp’s starting line-up.
However, with a busy season that will also see Europa League football awaiting us, there is certainly a need to bring in enough strength from depth.
Exits could play a role in the amount of activity we see at Anfield this summer due to FSG’s profitable recruitment strategy.
Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah have been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, with Joel Matip reportedly interested in Besiktas.
If Matip leaves, an extra defender will definitely be on Klopp’s wishlist – if he isn’t already. Currently, Virgil van Dijk, Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips are all right-footed defensive options.
The latter would also be interesting in Leeds and Feyenoord.
The addition of left-footed Colwill could change the dynamic of Liverpool’s game, making them a more threatening team when in possession.
There are lingering doubts over his future as Colwill wants reassurance about the amount of professional football available to him at Chelsea next season and faces competition from fellow left-footed defender Benoit Badiashile.
In midfield as well, the Reds could continue to improve stylistically with new additions.
Lavia earned a reputation as one of the most press-resistant midfielders in the Premier League last season and would act as an upgrade for Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita or Arthur.
German journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that although there is currently no agreement with Southampton, Reds boss Klopp is particularly keen on adding Lavia to his ranks.
He also adds that the Belgium star is yet to agree a personal deal with Liverpool and that the relegated Saints will want a £50million transfer fee for the former Manchester City man.
Thuram is a different style of player who usually plays as a defensive midfielder, but also enjoys dribbling and penetrating the opposition’s penalty area. Last season, he directly contributed to 10 goals in all tournaments.
Spanish source Nacional claims the French midfielder is wanted by the Reds, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
However, the latter seems to have difficulty meeting the requirements of Nice.
Nice would like around £25.6m for Thuram, a transfer fee Liverpool are said to be willing to pay for his third signing this summer.
In attack, the Reds should be better. It’s safe to assume that Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo will enjoy improved seasons after adapting to English football, while Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have shown what they can do when available. No one doubts Salah’s abilities either!
With that in mind, Klopp’s dream squad once the transfer window closes could look like this, assuming the Reds sign Colwill, Thuram and Lavia:
Goalkeepers
Alisson
Caoimhin Kelleher
Adrian
Defenders
Levi Colwill
Joe Gomez
Virgil van Dijk
Ibrahima Konate
Kostas Tsimikas
Andy Robertson
Joel Matip
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Midfielders
Khephren Thuram
Romeo Lavia
Fabinho
Thiago
Dominik Szoboszlai
Alexis Mac Allister
Jordan Henderson
Curtis Jones
Harvey Elliot
Stefan Bajetic
Forwards
Luis Diaz
Mohammed Salah
Cody Gakpo
Diogo Jota
Darwin Nunez
