Where Liverpool need to look to strengthen this summer | OneFootball

The Premier League summer transfer window has officially opened for business and clubs are now racing to sign players in an effort to help bolster their chances of success for the 2025-26 season.

While Liverpool won the Premier league, their season could have been even more remarkable. The Reds topped the league phase table in the Champions League but were narrowly knocked out in the last 16 against eventual winners PSG on penalties. They also lost the Carabao Cup final, where they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

There is still plenty more for this Liverpool side to achieve but that will require improving the squad so they can compete on all fronts and defend their Premier League crown, which will no doubt be a big challenge, and freetips.com has lots of tips and predictions for what might happen in the next Premier League campaign and other competitions.

We’ve assessed where Liverpool need to strengthen this summer…

Left-back and more defensive reinforcements?

Liverpool’s defensive rebuild is far from complete. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now officially a Real Madrid player, the Reds swiftly moved to secure Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, activating his £29.5 million release clause to fill the void at right-back.

But attention is now shifting to the opposite flank. Kostas Tsimikas is expected to move on this summer after limited game time and inconsistent performances, with clubs in both the Premier League and abroad reportedly interested in the Greek full-back.

Liverpool will also look to further their interest in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has been linked with a move to Anfield for some time. The 21-year-old Hungary international is valued at around the £45m mark.

Centre-back is also a position Liverpool will need to address. Jarell Quansah had a promising campaign, but if he were to leave this summer, Liverpool would be left light at the back. Ibrahima Konaté has just one year remaining on his contract, and the club are wary of a repeat of the uncertain contract situations that occurred around Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold.

Joe Gomez’s injury history only adds to the concern. As such, Liverpool seriously need to consider defensive reinforcements.

Midfield strength needed

While Liverpool’s midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister were the most trusted under Arne Slot throughout the season, the lack of rotation exposed the team’s limitations.

As the campaign wore on, it became increasingly clear that the trio could not carry the burden alone, and Slot showed little faith in his other midfield options. Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Curtis Jones were all used sparingly, with Elliott in particular voicing his frustration late in the season. “It’s been hard with how much I’ve played,” he admitted in May.

Elliott could leave Anfield this summer and his possible departure only adds to the urgency for reinforcements in midfield.

Liverpool are pursuing a marquee signing in that area, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz emerging as their top target. The 22-year-old Germany international is keen on a move to Anfield, and Liverpool have reportedly already had offers turned down.

Talks are ongoing, with Leverkusen said to be holding out for closer to €150m (£136m). While both sides are eager to wrap up negotiations quickly, a deal has yet to be finalised but one thing is clear – a bolstered midfield is essential if Liverpool are to remain competitive across all fronts next season.

Reshuffle the attack

Liverpool’s attacking line is in need of a reshuffle. Much of the team’s goalscoring responsibility once again fell on Mohamed Salah, whose consistency carried the Reds to glory.

But beyond the Egyptian, Liverpool’s forward options have underdelivered, raising serious questions about the depth and reliability of the current frontline heading into the 2025/26 season.

Darwin Núñez’s time at Anfield appears to be coming to an end. Signed for £64 million in 2022, the Uruguayan striker has never truly settled. This past season was particularly poor with just five goals in 30 appearances and with only 25 goals in 95 outings overall.

Diogo Jota’s future is also in doubt. Once a key contributor, injuries have derailed the Portuguese forward’s form and availability. He struggled for rhythm throughout the campaign and faded significantly in the final weeks. With Slot reportedly seeking a reliable number nine who can stay fit and consistently score, Jota may also be moved on if the right offer arrives.

Should both Núñez and Jota depart, Liverpool will need at least one and potentially two new forwards. Several top-tier names are on their radar, including Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitike.

Liverpool’s title winning season has masked some of their flaws in attack. With Salah now 33 and key forwards either underperforming or injury prone, reinforcements are essential.