Of course! What would you like me to rewrite? 2025

 

Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, and head coach, Arne Slot, initially agreed last summer to maintain the squad inherited from former manager Jürgen Klopp. However, as the upcoming transfer window approaches, changes to the team appear inevitable, regardless of the achievements this season.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool is expected to undergo significant squad adjustments in various positions, with the only stable department being the goalkeeping area. Alisson Becker has reaffirmed his commitment to staying at the club, ensuring continuity in the position. However, Liverpool is set to bring in additional competition, with Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia joining for a fee of £25 million ($32.5 million). His arrival will provide depth and ensure the club remains strong between the posts.

Meanwhile, Caoimhín Kelleher, who has just one year left on his contract, is likely to leave in search of a starting role at another club. This departure would make room for Mamardashvili as Liverpool's second-choice goalkeeper.

One of the biggest concerns for Liverpool is the potential departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid. Losing him would create a significant creative void in the squad. While young right-back Conor Bradley is considered a promising replacement, his recurring injuries raise concerns about his long-term reliability. As a result, Liverpool may need to sign a new right-back in the summer.

Strengthening the left-back position is also on the club’s agenda. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as a potential target, but his club is expected to demand nearly three times the £15.5 million they originally paid to sign him from AZ Alkmaar in 2023. Another alternative being considered is Ajax’s 19-year-old defender, Jorrel Hato.

In central defense, Liverpool’s plans will largely depend on Virgil van Dijk’s contract situation. While optimism remains that he will extend his stay, the Dutch defender has yet to make a final decision as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konaté is also approaching the final year of his contract without any significant progress in renewal talks. Additionally, Joe Gomez, who was close to leaving last summer, is recovering from a hamstring surgery. Given all these uncertainties, Liverpool is expected to bring in a new center-back, even if Van Dijk remains at the club, as he will soon turn 34.

The midfield appears relatively stable, with key players such as Ryan Gravenberch (22), Dominik Szoboszlai (24), Alexis Mac Allister (26), and Curtis Jones (24) forming a solid core.

One of the biggest uncertainties revolves around Mohamed Salah’s future. The Egyptian star has yet to sign a contract extension, and lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League remain an enticing possibility. If Salah leaves, replacing him will be a costly challenge for Liverpool.

Additionally, the club is likely to invest in a new striker due to the struggles of Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota. Núñez has managed just one goal in his last 13 matches, while Jota has gone ten games without scoring. Renewed Saudi interest in Núñez could work in Liverpool’s favor, as it would provide significant funds for reinvestment in the squad.

Speculation also surrounds the futures of Luis Díaz and Cody Gakpo. Díaz has been linked with a potential move away, while Gakpo, who scored 16 goals before suffering an injury in February, has struggled to regain his form since returning.

As for potential reinforcements, Federico Chiesa has been mentioned as a target. He recently made a strong impact by scoring as a substitute against Newcastle at Wembley but has only played 25 minutes in the league this season. If Liverpool pursues him, they must decide whether to give him consistent opportunities or look for an alternative.

Ultimately, The Athletic concludes that if Van Dijk and Salah sign new contracts, Liverpool will require fewer signings in the summer. However, extending their contracts would also limit the budget available for major squad reinforcements.