After their title-winning season last time out, Liverpool will be looking at ensuring the Premier League title makes it’s way back to Anfield at the end of next season.
To do so, however, the club will likely have to make some important signings to add some real depth in quality to an already star-studded squad. So far, Jurgen Klopp has signed Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas from Greek side Olympiacos for £11.7 million (BBC Sport) and will be wanting to carry on how they’ve started.
Liverpool have been linked with countless players already in the first few weeks that the window has been open, something that is expected for a team at the top and with a manager such as Klopp, who tends to attract some of the best players in the game.
Who would be suitable signings for the club though, and which players would make realistic additions to an already incredible squad?
Ismaila Sarr
The Senegalese starlet’s name is certainly one that the Liverpool faithful won’t forget – the 22-year-old scored twice in the Reds’ first defeat of the season back at the end of February and wowed the Anfield crowd with an incredible performance that day.
The club have reportedly made contact with Watford over a move for the player, who tallied up 5 goals and 4 assists last season. It is likely that Sarr would provide backup for both Sadio Mané and Mo Salah, which makes the reported £40 million that Watford have asked for a little bit of a stretch – only time will tell if this is a move Liverpool will make.
Aissa Mandi
The 28-year-old Algerian defender has been plying his trade at Spanish club Real Betis since 2016 – and is on the radar of many clubs this transfer window. Liverpool have been linked with a move for the player over the past two weeks, with the departure of Dejan Lovren to Zenit leaving a gap in the squad for cover at centre-back – it is likely that the Reds will make another defensive signing before the window is up.
Mandi has a moderate season at Betis last campaign, averaging 3 clearances, 1.3 interceptions, and 1.1 tackles per game, as well as 2.1 aerial duels won per game.
Klopp and the club are reportedly close to agreeing a £9 million transfer for Mandi according to beIN SPORTS, as well as agreeing on personal terms with the player.
Ozan Kabak
Turkish defender Ozan Kabak is another player that has been reportedly on Liverpool’s radar this summer – but Schalke 04 have valued him at £40 million, but he could go for less due to the club’s reported financial issues (via DailyMail).
The 20-year-old had a strong campaign last season, averaging 1.4 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 3.6 clearances, and 2.9 aerial duels won – and with Lovren’s departure, it has also been recently reported that Joel Matip has been linked with a move to PSG, meaning the Reds would only have two first-choice centre-backs left.
If this is true, then a move for Kabak would make even more sense for the club.
Ben White
Our third and final centre-back on the list, the 22-year-old has been linked with the club after an impressive season on-loan at Leeds United from parent club Brighton.
White’s current market value is just under a mere £5 million, but Brighton have valued him at £50 million and want no less for the player according to Metro.
Last season, White averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.5 interceptions, 2.7 clearances, and 2.8 aerial duels won.
It is clear that Liverpool need strength in numbers in defense given Lovren’s departure and the aforementioned links with Matip to PSG – and White would bring great talent at a young age to learn from a player such as Virgil van Dijk.
Thiago Alcantara
The speculation between Thiago and Liverpool has been going on for months now after the Spanish midfielder reportedly admitted to wanting a move to the Merseyside club.
Thiago’s numbers for this season prove why he is one of the best midfielders in the world – with a 90.5% pass completion rate, averaging 1.9 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, as well as a 7.47/10 WhoScored match rating. According to sports journalist Fabrizio Romano, both Liverpool, and Thiago are keen to make the transfer happen, but it is the asking price that is causing issues, as Bayern are demanding £27 million for the player’s services, but Liverpool don’t want to spend that when they can sign him for free in just 5 months time.
Either way, a deal should be met as soon as possible, as the addition of Thiago would make Liverpool’s midfield one of the best in the world.
