Who would you buy?

The Albert
9429

I personally think it’s going to be a season with quite a few incomings (maybe four or five), and the outgoings won’t be as severe as people are suggesting (unless mad shit happens with the contacts)

I think Kelleher definitely moves on, as we have Marmadashvilli on the way.

I thinks it’s certain that one of Robbo or Kostas goes - I suspect Kostas because even at 31 Robbo is a better player. He isn’t what he was, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be useful backing up a new first choice.

Aside from that, I think everyone else is a question mark.

Nunez is on a lot of our lists, and he’s certainly be on mine. However it would not surprise me to see him at Liverpool next year, given the market for strikers isn’t great.

Chiesa isn’t getting a sniff, but he was bought as a project and Slot might want another season with him to see if he can get a player out of him.

Elliott is also struggling to get a game, and I suspect that despite his talent, his physical attributes - his height and speed - are the issue. And Slot doesn’t seem to have a natural position for him. But he loves the club and we know he’s a cracking player. So he might stay.

Then there are obviously kids on the periphery that always are let go - players like McConnell, Morton, Doak, Bajcetic, Ramsey, William. I think of those, Morton, Ramsey and Williams are not going to make it and need to move on. I have a big question mark over Doak’s future. McConnell looks the business but he might need a loan. Bajcetic no idea what player we are getting back, but I suspect he needs games, and I don’t think coming here to take Endo’s role for example is going to allow him to continue progressing.

I still think the shopping list is going to be

  1. Left back.
  2. Centre Back
  3. Versatile Midfielder
  4. Goalscoring Forward
  5. Possibly a right back.
3 Likes
9430

At some point the talk about Elliott not having a position at Liverpool will have to end. What other position in which structure would he need? Playing the single #10 in an old school 3-4-1-2? He’s had 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 so far. In last years as a young player, he doesn’t have to be in one position all the time. Slot says he has important players as competition in two positions. So that’s the reason, player quality and competition. Showed signs of form in some of his last appearances, mainly off the bench, as it was more often the case with him (apart from the really good start of the 21/22 season before that unfortunate injury).

1 Like
9431

Another broken record plug but I think that Mendes will easily find a buyer for Nunez (that guy could sell sand in a desert), especially given that reliable press reported that Saudi interest in Nunez in January was quite advanced.

I think that Hughes will have to “invent” a striker or two this summer (how I wish Danns didn’t have all the injury issues he’s been having for the past few months), maybe someone we haven’t been publicly link with yet, or some left-field option.

As for the kids… I hold out hopes for Bajčetić if his fitness record improves. I think there’s a player there, even one that would take time to show his worth (like Merino, for example - he always pops up in my mind whenever I think of Bajčetić). He seems better suited to Slot’s football than Endo - and maybe he’d be getting more minutes than Endo for that reason?

1 Like
9432

How close would Danns and Koumas realistically be ability wise to being a regular part of the first team squad next season?

Just wondering if they or any other youngsters could step in if the likes of jota and Darwin were both to leave in the summer.

We appear to have more depth in experienced players than we have had for a long time, i wonder if that might change next summer, even if only for a ‘reset’ season?

1 Like
9433

Should it ever have started?

Plenty of top players have done just fine being shifted around in their role and responsibility based on what the team needs from this season, at this stage of the season given absences, this game, or this stage in the game. Especially ones Harvey is sometimes likened to. Slot has clear principles but still demands that we are tactically flexible depending on the situation and that has been achieved so far more by players adapting than by adapting the players. He has spoken about how important it is that he has a collection of players who can fill more than one role to accommodate that sort of change up.

I think I’m right in saying this season is the least Harvey has played when fit since he joined us, and so I get people are asking questions about what that means. I think there are reasonable explanations though for why has had less time this season than we’ve been used to him having without it meaning Slot doesnt rate him, or that he needs to find a specific role and work on nailing that down to get those minutes. He is still very young and we forget quite how much that is so because he’s now been around for a while, but he is still doing incredibly well to be even this involved at that age for a team competing at this level.

2 Likes
9434

Why on earth would we need a reset season? :thinking:

Even if the Contract Trio were all to leave (unlikely), we would still have one of the strongest squads in the league, and I would fully expect us to be in the running for the title and both domestic cups.

The Champions League is obviously harder to predict, but there’s no reason why we wouldn’t be able to at least qualify for the knockout stages… even without Mo, Virg and Trent.

It’s like all those idiots who thought we’d fall apart when Jürgen left…

3 Likes
9435

I think if all three left it’d be fair to say we’re looking at a reset. You can’t lose your most potent attacking threat, your defensive pillar and one of your most creative players, all of whom have been and remain “best eleven” players, and not feel like that’s a significant change.

If you’re also looking at a new left back that’s potentially three of your “best eleven” back four who’ll be replaced in one go. And that’s before you address anything like centre midfield or centre forward.

Keep two of those three and I think we’ll be building on a strong platform. Lose all three and I think that’s more upheaval than you’d want to see.

5 Likes
9436

I did not say sell him I was just answering why he appears on peoples sell list. I think there is a cracking player there but he needs to improve consistency and impact in big games. He needs to take it by the scruff of the neck.

The only way I would sell him, Elliot or Gomez is if we really needed to generate money for a genuine upgrade.

1 Like
9437

Agreed. Curtis is a solid squad player and has the potential to become a “first team” mainstay… if he improves his consistency.

There is also the “homegrown quota” to consider: if we were to sell him, who would replace him in that respect? :thinking:

5 Likes
9438

Yeah who would replace him in the only-gets-in-the-team-because-he’s-Scouse role?

EDIT: In case it needed clarifying, I’m mocking the people who think he’s in the team as some kind of local representation charity case.

1 Like
9439

Given how out of touch football is becoming with the local communities it takes place within, I’d be extremely disappointed to lose an England international who is local and came through the academy.

He should be very low on any sell list.

5 Likes
9440

We’ve still got Jay Spearing… some trolls on here think that’s all we will have left.

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9441

Nico Williams get it done

9442

Agreed. We need more Welshys and i was a bit disappointed when we let him go

image

6 Likes
9443

Touché

1 Like
9444

To be honest, I have not considered transfer fee’s in the below!!

Football Transfer Shortlist – Prioritised by Position

1. Left-Back (LB)

Milos Kerkez
After eight years of exceptional service, Andy Robertson’s replacement feels overdue this summer. Milos Kerkez stands out as the perfect successor to claim the title of the Premier League’s premier ‘flying’ full-back. At just 21, he surpasses the Big Five League average in progressive carries and delivering the ball into the penalty area—both as a crosser and a carrier—making him a dynamic, well-rounded attacking left-back.

His standout moment this season came against Spurs with a breathtaking cross—one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. It wasn’t a reactive pass waiting for a run; it was proactive, dictating his teammates’ movement. Pure world-class quality. Whether Liverpool seeks a direct Robertson replica is up for debate—some might prefer the modern ‘lockdown’ defender trend (Hato?)—but if they want a like-for-like profile, Kerkez is ready to step up.

2. Striker (ST)

Alexander Isak
Watching Alexander Isak, it’s easy to see why Newcastle fans adore him. His 19 goals across all competitions this season underline his role as a relentless attacking threat, fueling their push for a European return. A right-footed centre-forward, Isak thrives leading the line solo, blending versatility into his movement. When space opens, he spins in behind, bursting past centre-backs. Alternatively, he drops short to link with midfield through quick, sharp passes before accelerating forward again.

His runs often curve toward the ball, allowing him to face goal and exploit gaps, typically drifting left to finish with his stronger right across the keeper. If play shifts right, he adjusts—hitting the far post or repositioning centrally in the box. His touch and ball control are sublime, capable of killing the ball dead or nudging it perfectly to challenge nearby defenders. Isak’s elegance and potency make him a dream fit up top.

3. Centre-Back (CB)

Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen’s lanky, giraffe-like frame belies his grace as one of the most stylish dribbling centre-backs around. He’s mobile and loves venturing deep into opposition territory, offloading wide, then lingering near the box’s edge. This flair gives Bournemouth a fluid attacking dynamic, breaking low blocks with an unorthodox progression style—a trait that could thrive at Liverpool against narrow, deep defenses.

That said, there’s rawness to his defending. He’s not slow, but even at youth level, he’s been vulnerable to balls in behind, and his eagerness to challenge for possession can feel overambitious. Still, his height and athleticism mark him as a high-upside project worth pursuing.

4. Central Midfielder (CM)

Carlos Baleba
Carlos Baleba’s midfield profile is rare. His progressive passing can be inconsistent, but he compensates with elite dribbling under pressure and relentless space-attacking carries. That athleticism also shines defensively, especially in high-stakes moments. Despite occasional off-ball lapses in middle-third buildup, the 21-year-old is already a net-positive contributor—remarkable for his age.

In 2023/24, he won 72.7% of his aerial duels, dropping to a still-impressive 63.8% in 2024/25 (tops at Brighton, 24th league-wide, 4th among non-defenders). He’s tasked with aggressive pressing, often going man-to-man, and hounds the opposition’s centre-backs by shadowing their forwards or No. 10s. His tackling stats reflect his evolution: defensive third tackles rose from 0.38/90 (2022/23) to 1.16/90 (2023/24), then settled at 0.82/90 (2024/25), mirroring a similar trend in the middle third. In the attacking third, his numbers shifted from 0.38 to 0.27 to 0.53, highlighting a growing counterpressing role under Hürzeler compared to De Zerbi’s setup.

Baleba’s athletic gifts are outlier-level, and with sharper passing decisions, he could become a world-class midfielder. Think Declan Rice’s trajectory—adding final-third impact could elevate him to that tier.

Other options:

LB: Rayan Aït-Nouri
ST: Julián Alvarez
CB: Murillo
CM: Morten Hjulmand

2 Likes
9445

Like i said a few weeks ago i expect all three of VvD, Trent and Mo to leave at the end of the season.

Even if one or two of them stay - a lot needs to be done with this squad and i honestly don’t think it can all be fixed in one summer.

The lack of business (new signings and senior player contract extensions) in the last two years is going to bite us in the ass now.

In the last two and a half years the club was able to extent the contract of one senior player (Tsimikas) - that’s embarrassing.

To win the league with this squad is a big achievement. Huge respect Mr. Slot.

We used to have more quality in attack. Robbo is past his prime.
Thiago and Matip both injury prone but two of the best in their positions when available - we never replaced them.

Slots biggest test so far? A Top 4 finish in his second year.

2 Likes
9446

Let’s see what the recruitment team does in the summer before prognosticating a struggle to finish top four next season. Who could have foresaw last summer that we would be winning the premier league this season with effectively the same squad as last season?

4 Likes
9447

In fairness whatever we do this summer we’ll inevitably want/need to do more next summer anyway. That’s the nature of football and aiming for continuous improvement.

Think everyone is in agreement on left back and CF as primary needs if we don’t lose Virg and Mo. I always thought we needed another CM but we’ve four really good options plus Elliot and Endo with the possibility of Bajcetic coming back into the fold too.

If the three contract guys all stay (unlikely but who knows) then what else do we absolutely need beyond those three positions? Maybe a CB or perhaps a winger if we cut our losses on Chiesa. Possibly an upgrade on Endo if we have the money to do so but they are wants rather than needs.

If all three leave then it’s a huge summer ahead. But all we do is either put off some of those optional moves we might like to make this summer that aren’t critical, like an upgrade on Endo, or we do a bit of a stop gap option.

We didn’t spend much last summer but clearly we were willing and able to. It’s not really bitten us in the arse as I think we’d all say we’ve done better than anticipated. Now we’re able to build on that with Slot and Hughes a year in knowing what needs to be done and having had time to plan.

I expect a big summer no matter what, it’s just how many and what positions will take priority will be dictated by the outcome of those contract renewals.

4 Likes
9448

That would be suicidal and would bring our future planning into question, as well as our negotiations…we were told by Ornstein a few months ago all 3 had offers on the table…clearly we’re trying to keep them onboard?

Much rather renew Mo and Virg and sign no one.