Liverpool are likely to be on the lookout for a new midfielder this summer, with Wolves’ Joao Gomes the latest to be linked.
The Reds have already missed out on a number of big movers in the Premier League already, with Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali leaving their respective clubs for a combined £300m or so.
Tottenham alone have bought Fernandes and Tonali for £185m, rebuilding their midfield at huge cost. Spurs’ plan harks back to Liverpool‘s in 2023, when Jorg Schmadtke helped sign the trio who would go on to win the Premier League with the Reds two years later.
As Michael Edwards leaves Liverpool for a second time, rank these 10 signings from most to least important in the Reds’ recent success
He was PIVOTAL in bringing some big names to Anfield
- Sadio Mane
- Gini Wijnaldum
- Andy Robertson
- Mohamed Salah
- Virgil van Dijk
- Alisson Becker
- Fabinho
- Diogo Jota
- Thiago Alcantara
- Ibrahima Konate
But while Tottenham and Manchester City have shown that the midfielder market is currently out of control, Liverpool signed Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for £130m. With all three players arguably better than Anderson, Fernandes or Tonali, how much would those moves have cost Liverpool in 2026?
Dominik Szoboszlai – £120m
If Anderson is a £116m midfielder after one good, and one very good season with Nottingham Forest, it is fair to assume that Szoboszlai would be worth even more in this market.
It is hard to put an exact price on the Hungarian, and Liverpool were fortunate that he had a £60m release clause in his RB Leipzig contract three years ago.
But after three years in which he first slotted in seamlessly at Anfield, was then a key cog in a Premier League-winning team and finally one of Europe’s standout players last term, Szoboszlai’s value has easily doubled. There is an argument that he is worth even more, but a nominal £120m would potentially get him today.
Alexis Mac Allister – £65m
There were some claims at the time that Liverpool would have to pay up to £55m to Brighton for Mac Allister three years ago, but, officially, the fee has always stayed at £35m.
That was a huge bargain at the time for a 24-year-old starter in a World Cup-winning team, and though Mac Allister had a difficult season, he has definitely grown in value since joining the Reds.
He was one of the best players in the whole of the Premier League in 2024/25, earning a nomination for the PFA Player of the Year, and while his value may start to depreciate aged almost 28, it would still be a surprise if anyone buying Mac Allister today paid less than £60m.
Ryan Gravenberch – £110m
Arguably the best piece of business Liverpool did in 2023 was their final signing of the year: Ryan Gravenberch.
The Dutchman had initially looked like a bit of a bust having failed to really get going during Jurgen Klopp’s final season, but a slight change in position from Arne Slot led to Gravenberch exploding.
How high should Liverpool go to sign Bradley Barcola from PSG?
Maybe Liverpool would be better off signing two or three €50m players…
25/26 was not his finest year by any means, but the 24-year-old added goal-scoring to his game and still looks primed to go up a level or two.
His age, quality and potential easily makes Gravenberch a £100m+ player, and if Tonali is going for £100m, then his fee should definitely be more than that.
Verdict: Liverpool saved £165m
There is no exact science to this kind of thing, but it is not a stretch to say that Liverpool’s three best midfielders could be worth £295m in today’s market.
That is even perhaps being a little unkind to Mac Allister, who could yet win a second World Cup this summer.
Even with the 27-year-old valued at £60m, though, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch’s £100m+ price-tags mean Schmadtke did a heck of a job in saving Liverpool’s upwards of £165m.
People weren’t sure about the German at the time, but the business he did helped turn Liverpool into champions once again, and meant that as others scrabble for overpriced midfielders, the Reds are still safe in the knowledge that they already have three of the best at home.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
