Great news coming out that Virgil and Salah are likely to stay at Liverpool FC. This hopefully allows Arne Slot and Richard Hughes to focus on replacing players that need to be replaced, or players who actually want to go.
I’d like us to be quite ruthless this summer and really kick on now. I don’t really believe we need to strengthen our starting XI in many places except ST and LB. I really like our team and if nobody else wanted to leave, I’d probably only want another CM as a rotation option.
However, it seems a big possibility that Caoimhin Kelleher, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas, Tyler Morton and Ibrahima Konate will all leave.
I thought I’d breakdown some of the more repeatedly linked players who could come in and replace these players. Prices and availability are only based on the media sources I trust more than others, I’m obviously not in the know.
ST – Nunez replacements:
1. Isak; the holy grail of striker signings this summer but likely to cost £100-150m minimum and unlikely to push for an exit if Newcastle make the top 5 and play Champions League football next season.
2. Osimhen; very much attainable and at a cut price apparently of around £60m. Could be a bargain as he guarantees 20 goals a season. Similar to Haaland in that he’s reliant on service and won’t make chances for himself or others.
3. Delap; possibly the most sensible option. Good all round forward with potential to be very good but rumoured to have a £40m release clause when Ipswich are relegated.
CF – Jota replacements:
1. Matheus Cunha; top player. Carries Wolves at times and apparently has a £55m release clause. Very volatile attitude and gets banned a lot. Maybe he’d calm down in a more stable environment.
2. Joao Pedro; very good player but doesn’t score many non-penalty goals. Also seems to struggle with injury, but this could be due to Brighton rushing him back as he makes such a difference to their team. Brighton apparently want £100m which sounds like an April fool’s joke.
3. Julian Alvarez; world class. Possibly the best striker in this mould in world football. Would cost at least £100m.
LW – Diaz replacements:
1. Firmin Lopez; good player not getting as many minutes as he should be. Can also play as an AM. Would reportedly be available for around £40-50m. Might even be able to do a deal involving Diaz in some capacity.
2. Anthony Gordon; probably the best option for us in this position but will likely cost £75m minimum. Homegrown, Liverpool fan, loves a bit of ‘housery’. He’d be a star for us for sure.
3. Jamie Gittens; doing well abroad at Dortmund but hard to judge players in the Bundesliga. For every Firmino/ Haaland there is a Werner/ Sancho. At an £80m asking price, we would pass.
CM – Morton replacements:
1. Ederson; great player. Loves a physical battle but can also get the ball down and play. Seen anything from £35-50m mooted but he’d be worth every penny.
2. Morten Frendrup; gets compared to Kante which is some compliment. Has taken Serie A by storm. Hard working and tenacious, but not sure on his ability with the ball. At £25m could be a bargain.
3. Joao Gomes; another midfielder who loves a physical battle but can also play. He might just be the best option in terms of attainability, affordability and footballing ability. Rumoured price is £40m which would be a steal.
LB – Tsimikas replacements:
1. Milos Kerkez; for me, the best LB in the Premier League. Barnstorming forward runner who will also get back and defend aggressively. As is to be expected, he can be caught out of position because he is so attack minded, but he’s going to be world class in my opinion. £40-50 price tag has been reported.
2. Antonee Robinson; maybe the fastest full back in the Premier League now Walker has left, and the only one who consistently gives Salah a hard game. Also has the 3rd most assists of any player in Europe’s top 5 leagues, which is some going. Will probably cost the going rate for a good full back of around the £50m mark.
3. Jorrel Hato; very young and can also play CB and LM. Having a good season for Ajax and likely to be available for about £40m if a big team came in for him. His adaptability arguably makes him the most suited to what Slot is trying to achieve.
CB – Konate replacements:
1. Loic Bade; very physically dominant defender having a really good season for Sevilla. Would cost £50-60m but could kick on a do very well in English football. Reminds me of Saliba. He’s who we should go for if Konate leaves in my opinion.
2. Marc Guehi; very good on the ball to the extent he can also play DM, and very quick, which helps when trying to play a high line. However, he’s weak in the air and can sometimes be quite rash with his decision making. With Trent going, we need a right sided CB who is strong on the ball though, which might explain the strong interest that won’t seem to go away. Price tags reported have ranged from £50-70m. Seems steep for a player with holes in his game.
3. Ronald Araujo; good young player who Barcelona will be more than willing to sell with the emergence of Cubarsi, but seems to have hamstring issues and will still likely be valued at £30-40m. He is good with and without the ball when fit. I’d definitely avoid this obvious mistake though.
RB – Trent replacements:
1. Kiliann Sidillia; link has come out of nowhere in recent days. Available for as little as £12m and is apparently a very aggressive defender, though I must admit I’ve never seen him play. Doesn’t seem to be involved in many goals but might be a good cheap option if Bradley is going to be the starter.
2. Yukinari Sugawara; an Ed001 favourite, who has been linked many times in the past. Possibly more so recently because he played for Slot at AZ in Holland. He can play CB and RM also so fits that versatile profile Slot likes. Southampton are relegated now, so he could be available on the cheap. Maybe as little as £8-10m. Wouldn’t be like us to raid Southampton, would it?
3. Jeremie Frimpong; my preferred option. Not least because his names the easiest to spell out of these RB options. Apparently he has a release clause around the £35-40m mark. Extremely attack minded and could also provide cover in the front 3. Absolutely rapid.
GK – Kelleher replacement:
1. Mamardashvili; only one option here and that’s because he’s already signed last summer and said himself in an interview recently that he is coming to Liverpool next season to fight for the starting position between the sticks. Good luck to him, because Alisson will take some shifting.
Written by MK Scouser April 09 2025 17:55:33
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