With the 2020/21 season drawing to a close (thankfully), attention is quickly turning to 2021/22.
Liverpool look set to spend big this summer in order to right the wrongs of the current campaign.
At least one centre-back, centre-midfielder and forward are expected to sign. There will likely be quite a few departures as well.
With this in mind, RTK will take a look at these potential signings and see how they would fit into Liverpool’s starting XI.
Of course, there will be a fair bit of rotation next season. It will by no means be the same starting XI playing every game.
Alisson
There is no chance that anybody other than Alisson Becker will be Liverpool’s No 1 next season.
While he has had some shaky moments this season, the Brazilian reminded everyone just how good he is with a man of the match display against Southampton on Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Again, there is not much to say here.
Alexander-Arnold has picked up his form after a difficult start to the season and will be at right-back for the majority of 2021/22.
The only way this could change is if he makes a move to midfield, but that is unlikely just yet.
Ibrahima Konate
Onto the first new recruit.
Of all the players linked to the Reds, Konate’s signing looks the most guaranteed.
The 21-year-old RB Leipzig behemoth is on his way to becoming a world-class defender, so Liverpool are acting smartly to get him in this summer.
In fairness, a fully-fit Joe Gomez would start ahead of him. However, we will put Konate in for the sake of interest.
Virgil van Dijk
Alongside the new man will be Virgil van Dijk.
While the right-sided centre-back will likely be rotated throughout the season, the best centre-back on earth will be a mainstay on the left.
Let’s just hope he can return as the same player he was before his injury.
Andy Robertson
Despite not reaching the levels of previous years this campaign, Andy Robertson is the best left-back in the world.
Selfishly, an early Scotland exit at Euro 2020, resulting in a long summer break for the 27-year-old, would be ideal.
The return of a steady centre-back pairing should also allow for the inclusion of Kostas Tsimikas in certain games too. This would allow Robertson to get the breaks he needs, helping him play to his maximum when he takes to the field.
Jordan Henderson
He will be 31 by the time the season kicks off, but a fit Jordan Henderson simply has to start for Liverpool.
The captain is an exceptional leader and an exceptionally underrated footballer.
Injuries will be a worry, but when he is available, he has to play. The team is so much better with him in it.
Fabinho
If the last few months have proven anything, it is the importance of Fabinho in the No 6 role. There is nobody on earth better than him at what he does.
New centre-back recruits will ensure he stays doing it for the majority of games in 2021/22.
He will ensure solidity in the midfield, no matter what No 8’s flank him.
Lorenzo Pellegrini
Many may have been expecting to see Yves Bissouma as the new man in midfield.
The Italian is entering the final year of his contract at Roma (per Transfermarkt) and would be a very sensible signing.
Again, Thiago would probably be ahead of him in the pecking order, but Pellegrini would be an excellent addition to the squad.
Keep an eye on where he ends up playing his football in 2021/22.
Mohamed Salah
Where would Liverpool be without Mo Salah?
While there are whispers of a potential summer departure, we are sure that the Egyptian will still be banging in the goals at Anfield in 2021/22.
Our front three could rotate positions at ease, but we will have Salah as the right inverted winger for the sake of argument.
Diogo Jota
Despite a recent slump, Diogo Jota is quite clearly going to be a superstar.
He is the exact type of signing that Liverpool have excelled at making in recent times. Not many would have seen a potential world-class player in him, but much like they did with Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool managed to spot it.
Next season should see him blow up, be it on the left-wing or through the middle.
Jadon Sancho
Finally, we get to the would-be biggest move of the window.
It looks like Jadon Sancho will finally leave this summer. Liverpool are rumoured to be interested.
If they cannot agree some form of deal to sign Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer in 2022, they should absolutely sign the next best thing this year.
Sadio Mane will hopefully recover his best form, but it is not a certainty. Adding someone of Sancho’s quality will push him to be at his best, or force him out of the side.
Either way, it would be a win for Liverpool.
If you can sign someone that is guaranteed to be one of the best players of the next decade, you go and do it.
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