Liverpool are entering one of the most important transfer windows in recent history. With Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konaté gone, a new era is beginning at Anfield under Andoni Iraola, and smart recruitment will be essential if the Reds are to remain competitive both domestically and in Europe.
While Liverpool still possess one of the strongest midfields in world football and a squad that can adapt well to Iraola’s high-intensity style, there are glaring weaknesses that must be addressed.
The biggest concerns are attacking depth and defensive cover.
After a disappointing campaign in both the Premier League and Champions League, Liverpool cannot afford another season lacking balance and squad depth. However, heavy spending in previous windows means the club must also be careful financially.
💰 POTENTIAL SALES
To create room in the squad and generate funds, several departures could be necessary.
🔴 Wataru Endo — £5M
🔴 Stefan Bajcetic — £5M
🔴 Vitezslav Jaros — £5M
🔴 Harvey Elliott — £25M
The departures of Endo, Bajcetic and Jaros would free up valuable squad space while avoiding situations where players enter the final stages of their contracts without clear long-term roles.
Harvey Elliott’s sale would be the most controversial. Although a talented player, his departure would significantly improve Liverpool’s financial flexibility and help fund the next phase of the rebuild.
💸 Total Estimated Sales: £40M
🔥 THE RECRUITMENT PLAN
Replacing Salah is impossible with a single signing.
His goals, creativity, leadership and attacking output cannot simply be replicated by one player. Instead, Liverpool should divide those responsibilities across multiple signings.
The solution?
Two right-sided attackers with completely different profiles plus a versatile defensive reinforcement.
⚡ TECHNICAL RIGHT WINGER
Liverpool need a player capable of creating chances, manipulating defensive structures and unlocking low blocks through intelligence and technical quality.
Potential options:
⭐ Maghnes Akliouche
⭐ Harry Wilson
⭐ Mason Greenwood
⭐ Mohammed Kudus
⭐ Brahim Díaz
✅ CHOSEN TARGET: MAGHNES AKLIOUCHE (£50M)
Akliouche possesses elite technical ability.
His dribbling, passing range, creativity and spatial awareness make him one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe. He thrives between the lines, combines beautifully in tight spaces and constantly creates opportunities for teammates.
Perhaps most importantly, he works tirelessly without the ball, making him a perfect fit for Iraola’s demanding tactical system.
While comparisons to Rayan Cherki may be inevitable, Akliouche offers a unique profile capable of becoming Liverpool’s primary creative force from the right side.
🚀 DYNAMIC RIGHT WINGER
Liverpool also need explosiveness.
A player capable of stretching defences, attacking one-on-one situations and creating chaos in transition.
Potential options:
⭐ Iliman Ndiaye
⭐ Yan Diomande
⭐ Francisco Conceição
⭐ Yankuba Minteh
⭐ Bazoumana Touré
⭐ Jarrod Bowen
✅ CHOSEN TARGET: ILIMAN NDIAYE (£60M)
Ndiaye offers something different.
He is unpredictable, technically gifted and capable of playing across multiple attacking positions.
His ambidexterity allows him to attack defenders from either direction, while his dribbling, acceleration and ball-carrying ability make him extremely dangerous in wide areas.
Whether receiving in the half-spaces, running beyond the defence or linking play centrally, Ndiaye provides a dynamic threat that Liverpool currently lack.
In many ways, he would become the squad’s ultimate attacking weapon.
🛡️ DEFENSIVE UTILITY SIGNING
Liverpool’s final priority should be defensive versatility.
Conor Bradley’s injury history, Jeremie Frimpong’s defensive limitations and the youth of emerging defenders mean additional cover is essential.
Potential options:
⭐ Lutsharel Geertruida
⭐ Jordan Teze
⭐ Wilfried Singo
✅ CHOSEN TARGET: LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA (£30M)
Geertruida may not be the most glamorous signing, but he could be one of the smartest.
Comfortable at right-back, centre-back and even in midfield, the Dutch international offers exceptional tactical flexibility.
His technical quality, intelligence, leadership and adaptability make him an ideal squad player capable of filling multiple roles without weakening the team.
Every elite squad needs players like Geertruida.
🏆 TACTICAL FIT UNDER IRAOLA
In possession, Iraola’s preferred 2-3-5 structure would allow Liverpool’s attackers to rotate freely.
Akliouche could drift inside from wide positions and operate between the lines, becoming a creative hub in central areas.
Ndiaye would provide width, penetration and unpredictability from either flank, constantly threatening opposition defences.
Geertruida’s versatility would allow him to operate deep, invert into midfield, stay wide or slot into a back three depending on the game’s demands.
Without possession, Liverpool could seamlessly transition into Iraola’s aggressive 4-4-2 diamond shape, maintaining compactness and intensity across the pitch.
💰 ESTIMATED FINANCIAL BALANCE
Sales:
£40M
Signings:
Akliouche — £50M
Ndiaye — £60M
Geertruida — £30M
Jacquet — £55M
Total Spending: £195M
Net Spend: Approximately -£155M
📈 FINAL VERDICT
This recruitment strategy would not instantly transform Liverpool into Premier League favourites, but it would provide something equally important: balance.
The squad would become younger, deeper, more versatile and far better suited to Iraola’s tactical demands.
Most importantly, Liverpool would emerge from a difficult transitional period with a foundation capable of competing at the highest level for years to come.
The Premier League title may still be a step too far initially, but with this squad, Liverpool would become one of the most dangerous teams in Europe and a nightmare opponent for anyone in the Champions League. 🔥🔴🏆