A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the ownership and how they have done far more right whilst in charge of Liverpool Football Club than they’ve done wrong. Since then, they’ve sanctioned the club record signing of Florian Wirtz, which could go on to become a British record depending on whether his performances meet certain criteria. Now the Reds are on the verge of signing Milos Kerkez for around £40 million, showing that Fenway Sports Group are more than happy to put money on the line when the right signing is available. Their previous frugality, for which they have been criticised, is why we’re in a position to be able to make these moves without risk of falling foul of Profit and Sustainability Rules, whilst the likely outgoings that will occur in the remaining month or two of the window is another reason why things are ok for Liverpool. Presuming that the move for Kerkez goes off without a hitch, the big question is around how our squad is looking ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign.
Milos Kerkez is scheduled to fly into Liverpool this afternoon to put the finishing touches to his £40m move from Bournemouth.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc.co.uk) 23 June 2025 at 10:22
In terms of the midfield, it is difficult to argue that it is anything other than in good working order. Yes, I’m quite sure that everyone would like another option in the defensive midfield role so as to be able to give Ryan Gravenberch a rest every now and then, but the player has proven himself to be more than adept as the number six. Dominik Szoboszlai isn’t a number ten, but the arrival of Wirtz means that he doesn’t have to be. Harvey Elliott is almost certainly going to leave this summer, but given how little the manager used him during our title-winning season, it is difficult to argue that his departure will be any great loss. Generally speaking, therefore, the midfield doesn’t need a huge amount of work and I’d be surprised if we saw anyone else arrive for that part of the squad in the coming weeks. Given Arne Slot’s clear desire to have two top-class players for each position, however, it is fair to say that the rest of the squad, goalkeeper aside, isn’t in quite as rude a health.
Defence Still Needs Work
Although the right-back spot is sorted, thanks to both the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and the new contract given to Conor Bradley, the defence in general still needs some work. Yes, the signing of Kerkez strengthens us at left-back, but I’m not convinced that Andy Robertson has got the legs to be able to carry on being a sensible option for Liverpool’s defence and I don’t think anyone believes that Kostas Tsimikas is good enough to act as Kerkez’s backup. That means that another left-back might be sought, which is probably something that is seen as less than ideal by the management team. Completely refreshing left-back isn’t perfect going into a new season, which is why Robertson is hardly being forced out of the door. That being said, I’m actually of the belief that him signing for Atlético Madrid is something that would suit all parties. The rumours linking us to Jorrel Hato make a lot of sense to me. A left-sided centre-back who can play left-back could be perfect.
Castello Lukeba looks an absolute talent mind in this French u21 defence. He’s so calm and reads the game so well. Can see what Liverpool are apparently interested.
— Toontastic (@toontastic.bsky.social) 22 June 2025 at 17:22
That is because there is a need to be able to have more options in the centre-back position, especially if we want to be able to give Virgil van Dijk a rest from time to time. The Dutchman played every league game last season, but he’s one year older and won’t remain seemingly indestructible forever. Hato looks like the ideal player to come in and be able to cover a couple of positions, whilst the fact that he’s only 19-years-old means that there is plenty of development for him still to do. I’m less convinced by the links to Marc Guéhi, mainly because he’s not as dominant in the air as I would like a centre-back to be. That being said, even though he was born in the Ivory Coast, he is an England player and therefore fulfils the homegrown criteria that the club needs to bear in mind. He is also Crystal Palace’s captain, so he obviously has the mentality to be able to make it at a club like Liverpool. The central defence and left-back question is the key one we need to answer this summer.
Attacking Tweaks Look on the Cards
I have been far more of a Darwin Núñez supporter than many others, but even I have to admit that his race is run at Liverpool. Napoli are apparently interested in signing him, whilst Saudi Arabian clubs are also lurking. I don’t think it’s out of the realms of the possible that the Reds could get around £40-£50 million for him, which would be a decent return for a striker that has simply not worked during his time at Anfield. Then there is the curious case of Federico Chiesa, who was signed last summer in what appeared to be an opportunistic move rather than one that the manager was desperate for. He was criminally underused last year, so it’s little surprise that a move for him appears to be on the card and a return to Italy his most likely destination. That would see us two attacking options down, however, whilst Elliott has also been used in the frontline in the past. Add in the rumours linking both Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz away from Anfield and you can see why it’s a slight concern.
Fairplay if Liverpool add Kerkez, Guehi and a Striker to Wirtz and Frimpong it’s a ridiculous window. #LiverpoolFC
— Ricky 🏴 (@ricky008.bsky.social) 20 June 2025 at 07:30
The links between Liverpool and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak won’t go away, in spite of the fact that the Magpies made it into the Champions League for next season. Although it is difficult to envision a world in which the Reds sanction two £100 million-plus moves in the same summer, he is obviously the perfect fit for our front line and this may be our best chance to sign him. Another St James’ Park player is also likely to be on our list in the form of Anthony Gordon, yet I’m not convinced we’d go for him unless one of Gakpo or Díaz was definitely on the move. All of which is to ignore the elephant in the room that is how the manager intends to use Wirtz moving forward. It seems most likely that he’ll be a 10, but he can play as a false nine and might be an option for Slot across other positions in the front line. There are so many moving parts right now that it must be tricky for Richard Hughes to know exactly what to prioritise next, but I’m confident that he and his team will get it right and make us stronger for next season.
