Ian Wright says Liverpool must sign £40m star if Arne Slot wants to improve his XI

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Ask anyone – fan or pundit alike – where Liverpool need to improve in order to defend their Premier League title, and you will receive two very frequent responses.

At centre-forward and at left-back.

Now, Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool need six signings this summer – three of those capable of adding depth at centre-half, midfield and on the left-wing – but the Anfield legend also accepts that the two glaring weaknesses in an otherwise outstanding squad are visible almost from orbit.

Katy Perry herself could have spotted Andy Robertson’s decline on her way back to earth. While very much a modern day Liverpool legend, mistakes have crept rapidly into the Scot’s game.

Carragher is far from the only one who would prefer to see Robertson taken out of the spotlight. Used instead as an experienced alternative to a younger, fitter, fresher model.

The Champions League winner hopes Milos Kerkez arrives from Bournemouth. The £40 million-rated speedster who – with his shuttling darts down the flank and his fizzing left-footed crosses – plays very much like ‘Robbo’ in his prime.

As for the centre-forward department, Carragher identified Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as a more affordable – if still £85 million-rated – alternative to Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak.

Speaking on Optus Sport’s Kelly and Wright Show, meanwhile, former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright agreed almost point for point with Carragher’s assessment, though stopping short in talking up a deal for the 22-goal Ekitike.

Ian Wright thinks Milos Kerkez would make Liverpool ‘better’

When asked what Liverpool could do in the market to enhance an already Premier League-winning squad, Wright’s view was very much reflective of that of an entire fanbase.

“Who makes them better?” Wright mused. “Who makes them better? Wow.

“I think left-back. I think Kerkez. I don’t want to take players out of other teams but I think [Liverpool need reinforcements] at left-back.

“And I think [they have to replace Darwin] Nunez. They need some kind of striker, they need that.”

While Kostas Tsimikas is the left-back who appears most likely to make way, Fabrizio Romano feels Darwin Nunez’s departure is almost guaranteed.

Both Liverpool and the Uruguayan himself are aligned on the idea that a fresh start would benefit all parties.

Jamie Carragher says Bournemouth swoop ‘makes sense’

Robinson, though a decade Kerkez’s junior, still has a lot left to offer in contrast, even if the Scot’s once fearsome acceleration appears to have deserted him upon entering his 30s.

“We have got to be realistic. And we’ve got to remember [director] Richard Hughes came from Bournemouth,” Carragher points out. “He brought Kerkez to the club, the left-back who has been fantastic.

“He obviously likes him. He must have a relationship with the player and the agent. So that one, I look at that and I think it probably makes sense.”

Liverpool will not face competition from Manchester United for Kerkez. The Red Devils invested heavily on Patrick Dorgu in January. However, Real Madrid and Man City are still rumoured to be interested in the former AZ Alkmaar prospect.

RTK understands that some at Liverpool also like Antonee Robinson.

Fulham’s USA international Robinson shone against Liverpool once again during December’s 2-2 draw. His latest stellar performance versus The Reds, and another in which he kept Mo Salah off the scoresheet.