Liverpool look all set to make it 20 league titles in May as they reinforce a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
The Reds have set a remarkable standard this season, making a mockery of suggestions they were set to fall away without Jurgen Klopp to guide them.
Arne Slot has come in and taken to life at Liverpool like a duck to water, navigating a brilliant debut campaign which looks set to end in glory.
What is even more impressive is that Slot has largely done it with Klopp’s Liverpool squad.
Writing in The Telegraph on Friday, Jamie Carragher suggests the Reds can and will get even better when the Dutch coach brings in his own players.
With that in mind, Carragher names six positions in which Liverpool can sign a player to improve the current crop. Here’s what they are, and who we think they should be.
Left-back – Rayan Ait Nouri.
“Liverpool need a left-back to compete with Andy Robertson, extending the Scottish captain’s Anfield career by reducing the necessity for him to play every game,” says Carragher.
To most, the answer to that should be Milos Kerkez and Rousing The Kop understands that Liverpool are ready to advance on a move for Kerkez by opening talks with Bournemouth.
However, the 21-year-old could cost as much as £50m. That is a lot to spend on a player who looks set to rotate with Robertson for at least a year.
As a result, we’d go for Wolves full-back Rayan Ait Nouri. More experienced and Premier League proven than Kerkez, Ait Nouri looks capable of taking the next step up and will leave the Reds with money left over to go big in other positions.
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Centre-back – Piero Hincapie
“They need a centre-back to ensure there is no crisis if Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are unavailable.“
This is a tricky one as it assumes that both Van Dijk and Konate are both a firm part of Slot’s future Liverpool teams, which for contractual reasons both may not be.
Assuming they are for a second, though, the new addition needs to be someone who does not mind playing second-fiddle, but can still step in to a good standard.
In our opinion, there are a few players out there who could do the job, but none better than Piero Hincapie, who is reportedly attracting interest from Anfield ahead of a summer move.
Deep-lying midfield – Angelo Stiller
“Also a deep central midfielder so that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are not as overburdened next season as they have been in this one.”
This is an interesting one as, like with the centre-back remit, any new central midfielder would likely not be arriving to displace the regular starters.
Nevertheless, there’s little question that Slot needs to bring in another midfielder he trusts more than Wataru Endo. Stefan Bajcetic is certainly an option, but if Liverpool are looking to the market, we’d put forward Angelo Stiller.
Stiller has a release clause in his new contract with Stuttgart and is the kind of profile who could do well at Liverpool while not immediately demanding to start. He’d be the perfect addition.
Attacking midfielder – Morgan Rogers
“Add to that an attacking midfielder who will score and create more than Dominik Szoboszlai.”
This is perhaps the one that will be lowest down Slot’s list of priorities given how important Szoboszlai has been this season.
However, there is an argument that Liverpool are lacking a truly creative attacking midfielder who Slot sees as a genuine option. I.e. not Harvey Elliott, unfortunately.
In our opinion, the best option out there is not Xavi Simons or Rayan Cherki, but Morgan Rogers. David Ornstein says Rogers has admirers this summer and we’d love Liverpool to be one of them.
Left wing – Anthony Gordon
“And finally a left winger and centre-forward who can win games as often as Mohamed Salah.“
Dealing with the left winger first, we would still love to see Liverpool fulfil Anthony Gordon’s destiny and bring him to Anfield.
The Scouser is a boyhood Liverpool supporter who was so close to joining in 2024. Although the Reds have been fine without him – Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are top players – adding Gordon’s pace and passion for the club could take things to the next level.
There have been suggestions that Liverpool could go for Gordon if Diaz leaves, but it remains to be seen whether a deal is at all feasible.
Centre-forward – Alexander Isak
Finally, it may be boring, but if Liverpool want the best centre-forward on the market, then they’re going to have to go out and get Alexander Isak.
In reality, it is virtually impossible to see Liverpool snatching both Gordon and Isak from Newcastle, but there are reasons to be believe that in isolation each deal could be at least halfway possible.
There have been claims that Liverpool are quietly confident of landing Isak, but with the Swede having an eye-watering price-tag, it still feels improbable at this point in time.
Other options are out there, but if the Reds wants to live up to Carragher’s billing, Isak is the clear answer.
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