Liverpool enjoyed a successful 2017/18 season, finishing fourth in the Premier League and reaching the final in the UEFA Champions League – something few would have predicted at the start of the season.
Under Jürgen Klopp, the Reds are looking to not only establish themselves as consistent Champions League qualifiers year-in-year-out, but take the next step and become title challengers. Without a league title since 1990, it promises to be an interesting summer transfer window as Liverpool look to bridge the gap to Manchester City and end their recent trophy drought.
Liverpool kick-started their summer business early with the £45 million capture of Brazilian midfielder Fabinho from Ligue 1 giants, Monaco. Liverpool fans have long been calling out for a standout defensive midfielder since the departure of Javier Mascherano in 2010, and they may have just found a gem in Fabinho. Having been linked with Manchester United for a long time, the Brazilian is superb in the air, coupled with an excellent range of passing. A strong tackler, he could help answer Liverpool’s defensive frailties. RB Leipzig’s midfield sensation Naby Keita will join on July 1st, after a deal was agreed last summer.
Lyon captain Nabil Fekir has been on Liverpool’s radar for a while now, and with the attacking midfielder heading to Russia with the French national squad, Liverpool will be keen to push a deal over the line before the tournament starts. The 24-year-old notched 18 goals and 8 assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season, mostly featuring in the number 10 position behind the striker, but he has the ability to play anywhere across the front line. An ideal replacement for Philippe Coutinho, Fekir would cost upwards of £50 million.
Following Loris Karius’ horror show in the Champions League final, a goalkeeper is another position that Liverpool will strengthen in the coming weeks. Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Roma stopper Alisson are thought to be at the top of Jürgen Klopp’s wish list. They are two of European football’s hottest prospects in between the sticks, but if Liverpool want to bring either one of them to Anfield, they will have to pay a world record fee for a goalkeeper that will likely exceed £70 million.
It seems pretty clear that Simon Mignolet has played his last game for the club, with Karius likely to be kept as second choice behind whoever Liverpool sign. Emre Can is also a certainty to leave the club, with the German international penning a pre-contract agreement with Juventus in a deal that will be formally announced in the coming days. It is probable that Daniel Sturridge will leave this summer too. The injury-prone striker barely featured whilst on loan at West Brom for the second half of last season, and one of Danny Ings or Divock Origi will likely depart the club too.
This is Liverpool squad is one that is about to come into its prime, so it would be a great surprise if many first team players were to leave this window.
Written by Dan Walker.
