The question is, where do Liverpool go from here? How do the newly-crowned Premier League champions build on an extraordinary first campaign under Arne Slot?
Well, hopefully, by learning from the mistakes of 2020/21.
Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool need six signings – Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike among them – in order to stave off the threat of Manchester City, Arsenal and co again next term.
He saw Liverpool fail to build on their previous title win under Jurgen Klopp – albeit that was a season ravaged by injury – and believes a few key additions, plus some intelligent, low-cost signings capable of adding depth, are required.
The new contracts signed by Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk certainly ensure the foundations are laid for a title defence. Former Premier League boss Sam Allardyce feels Liverpool saved themselves £200 million in tying down the legendary duo.
The £25 million acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, meanwhile, was made with the potential departure of Alisson Becker in mind.
Though, as Alisson indicates he wishes to stay at Liverpool until his contract expires in the summer of 2027, Valencia could yet be graced with Mamardashvili’s presence for at least another season.
Claudio Taffarel says Alisson Becker plans to stay at Liverpool
Speaking to ESPN, Liverpool goalkeeping coach and Brazil icon Claudio Taffarel now reiterates Alisson’s plan to remain and keep building upon his already glittering Premier League legacy.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold may be on his way, cramming a Spanish dictionary into his suitcase, retaining Van Dijk, Salah and Alisson is something all Liverpool fans would have bitten hands of at the bone for.
“It’s a very beautiful story, right?,” Taffarel begins. “He wants to continue living this story. I saw that this wave of Saudi Arabia come with great opportunities, very high offers.
“But he always says: ‘Wow, I want to continue this story because I owe a lot to them here, and I want to continue this life here’.”
Taffarel was the goalkeeper for Brazil’s 1994 victory at the American World Cup. Alisson will obviously be hoping to follow in his footsteps as the so-called Festival of Football returns across the Atlantic next summer, by which point his contract will have only one year to run.
Though, as the £67 million signing from Roma explains, he is more than open to an extension.
“I want to honour my contract and finish my contract here or make a new one,” Alisson told The Times while confirming interest from the Middle East. “I am really happy here. My family is happy.
“I never got to the point where I was talking about wages and things like this [with Saudi clubs]. It was just interest, but when you hear about the numbers the other players are getting you are a little bit attracted. That is normal.”
Taffarel thinks Giorgio Mamardashvili is not needed at Anfield yet
Across eight seasons on Merseyside, Alisson has won pretty much every one of the biggest competitions in English and European football, while earning himself an admirer for life in his iconic compatriot.
“I was impressed [with Alisson] when I arrived,” adds Taffarel, who began working as Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach in 2021.
“”The admiration that the players have for him. The staff here – both this one and [Jurgen] Klopp’s in the past – the board…
“He really is a very important figure here because of the history he has had here, on the field. Showing [his talent] in games, important games.
“The club made that decision [to sign Mamardashvili], I think a year ago, a year and a bit ago. This purchase of this young player, maybe a little for the future.
“But Alisson is a guy who is at a very high level. And even with his age, with his experience, with his desire, it will be very difficult for someone to come here and replace him, right?”
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