The transition between Jurgen Klopp and Arne Sloto was surprisingly seamless at Anfield.
The former Feyenoord boss inherited a world-class squad from his predecessor but still had the unenviable challenge of following Liverpool’s most successful manager since Bob Paisley. For a manager previously untested in the Premier League, those are heavy shoes to fill.
However, the Dutchman easily completed the task. He led the Reds to the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, as well as ensuring a safe passage to the final four of the Carabao Cup.
Slott managed to oversee such rapid progress without the aid of a huge budget. Liverpool only signed two players in the summer, one was a goalkeeper who was shipped out on loan and the other was £12.5m signing Federico Chiesa – who has rarely featured this term.
As Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, may be excited by the prospect of an exceptional season, they could loosen the purse strings during January transfer window.
Here are the areas Liverpool they will be happy to aim.
Liverpool don’t have many areas of weakness, but what could use a boost is the left-back department. It was a position the Reds could ignore for a long time, such was the consistency and quality of Andy Robertson, who has amassed over 300 appearances since joining the club in 2017.
However, the Scot has consistently performed below his best this season and there are concerns about his ability to mix it with the best after a difficult few months. Robertson will be 31 in March and is unlikely to regain his tag as Europe’s leading left-back.
Kostas Tsimikas has enjoyed a mostly positive season so far, but has proven to be an unconvincing option in the past. The Greek defender, who will be 29 by the end of the current season, is unlikely to be Robertson’s long-term successor.
Key objectives
Liverpool have often been linked with left-backs over the past year. Robertson’s decline began last season, but his struggles in 2024/25. likely to force the Reds into the market sooner rather than later.
Fulham’s Antonee Robinson is one of the names being tossed around with Liverpool, with the United States international showing just what he has to offer during his visit to Anfield in mid-December. The 27-year-old has hinted that a move to one of Europe’s elite could be in order, provided his age does not act as a stumbling block.
Alphonso Davies he is definitely a player that Liverpool should follow. The Bayern Munich defender is out of contract next summer and is expected to leave Bavaria, with Real Madrid and Barcelona circling. However, pulling off such a coup could be difficult.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rayan Ait-Nouri and Bournemouth’s Miloš Kerkez both have previously been linked with Anfield, with the latter being a particularly exciting target. Kerkez’s Hungarian compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai could certainly vouch for that move.
Defensive midfield was an area Liverpool were desperate to strengthen in the summer. The Reds have never truly replaced Fabinho since his departure two summers ago, and their best number six was the subject of debate throughout last season. In the end, the sudden arrival of Wataru Endo often ran the engine room.
However, clearly not in love with the Japan captain, Slott was keen to strengthen the center of the park during his first transfer window in charge. Liverpool’s search for a new defensive midfielder ultimately failed, forcing Slott to get creative.
The Dutchman deployed his compatriot Ryan Gravenberch as Liverpool’s deepest midfielder in a center double with Alexis Mac Allister, and the 22-year-old has done an outstanding job in his new role. While there is no need to replace their newfound defensive midfield gem, he may need support in the closing months of the season.
Key objectives
Martin Zubimendi was the man Liverpool courted over the summer but the Real Sociedad midfielder brought them down. They weren’t the only club to reject the Euro 2024 winner, who is unlikely to appear on their radar this winter.
There are no guarantees that Liverpool will strengthen their midfield, of course, with Enda and Tyler Morton in reserve. But an experienced and capable acquisition could come in handy, with Atalanta Ederson after he was often connected during the summer.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba he is also said to be of interest to Liverpool after an impressive rise on the south coast. The 20-year-old would certainly fit the club’s criteria for new signings.
Darwin Nunez has been at the center of much debate about Liverpool over the last two seasons. The Uruguayan arrived for the big money in 2022 and has struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League, blowing hot and cold all too often.
There is a sense that Liverpool could finally cut their losses with Nunez at the end of the season – unless there is a drastic turnaround in his fortunes during the second half of the campaign – or at least strengthen their forward line to ensure they are not overly reliant on the fiery South American.
Of course, the Reds would love to start Diogo Jota every week and he remains Liverpool’s most natural finisher. But his injury problems have been a constant since his move to Merseyside and he cannot be trusted to play 50 to 60 games a season.
Key objectives
It would be remiss of Liverpool not to consider one of Europe’s most sought-after centre-forwards, Viktor Gyokeres. A January move seems unlikely for the Sporting CP star, and the presence of Ruben Amorim at Manchester United could convince the Swedish marksman to move to the Reds’ rivals, but he is undoubtedly an elite talent who would improve Sloto’s squad.
Interov Marcus Thuram is another powerful forward capable of making waves in the Premier League. He was French provisionally associated with the Reds after shining in Italy, where he scored 13 and set up another 13 as the Nerazzurri won Serie A in 2023/24.
Jonathan David is another talent worth keeping an eye on. The Lille and Canada striker is out of contract next summer and could sign a pre-contract with Liverpool in the winter window. He recorded 19 in Ligue 1 last season.
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