How Liverpool could line up after 2024 summer transfer window

It promises to be a summer of enormous change for Liverpool as they prepare for life without Jurgen Klopp for the first time in almost a decade.

The iconic Liverpool manager stepped aside at the end of last season having completely transformed the Reds during his time on Merseyside. The unenviable task of succeeding the much-loved German falls to former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, who has simply massive shoes to fill.

While every Liverpool fan will be filled with a level of trepidation heading into the 2024/25 campaign, Klopp's exit has sparked an overhaul behind the scenes. Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, both former Liverpool sporting directors, have returned to oversee a new era at Anfield, with their track records impressive.

Slot will almost certainly be backed in the transfer market ahead of his debut season, although how much say he will have in deals remains to be seen given he is technically the club's head coach not manager.

Here's how the Reds could line up next season following a transitional summer.

Goalkeeper & defence

One area that Liverpool may have to bolster this summer is their goalkeeping department. While Alisson is undoubtedly the club's first choice and will be for a long time to come, Adrian will be leaving on a free transfer this summer and Caoimhin Kelleher is subject to interest from elsewhere. As a result, the Reds may need some new back-ups to the Brazilian.

With Slot favouring a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 setup, usually the latter, Liverpool are likely to play with a flat back four. However, the 45-year-old is not adverse to inverting his full-backs, something that could benefit Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. In Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, Liverpool have great options in reserve.

At left-back, the Reds aren't expected to be busy. Andy Robertson may now be 30 but he showed glimpses of his former self during the latter stages of last season. While there is a significant drop-off when Kostas Tsimikas plays, Gomez has also shown his ability to play on the left side of defence.

Centre-back is an area that Liverpool are expected to strengthen this summer, especially with Joel Matip having left on a free transfer and Gomez now largely used at full-back. Even the emergence of the promising Jarell Quansah is likely not enough to prevent movement in the market, with versatile defender Lutsharel Geertruida, who can play right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield, potentially following Slot from Rotterdam to Merseyside.

The future of Virgil van Dijk remains slightly uncertain given he is now 32 and out of contract in 2025, but he is a guaranteed starter as skipper. Ibrahima Konate has been his favoured partner in recent times despite losing his place in the team at the end of last season, but he is likely to be called upon by Slot to begin with.

Midfield

Liverpool made four signings last summer and they were all midfielders. The Reds' overhaul of the engine room allowed them to be far more competitive last season, while also offloading Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

However, that doesn't mean Liverpool are done in that department. The consistently sidelined Thiago Alcantara has now left Anfield, with the Reds perhaps using the Spaniard's departure as an opportunity to add another more natural defensive midfielder to their squad.

Providing Slot uses two central midfielders in a 4-2-3-1, Liverpool already have Alexis Mac Allister to fill one of those roles. The Argentine was arguably the Reds' strongest and most consistent performer last season and he has experience playing in a two-man midfield base at Brighton.

Who accompanies him is a difficult question to answer, with Wataru Endo having often been a hit-or-miss performer for Liverpool last term. Young Stefan Bajcetic has plenty of potential but was injured for almost the entirety of the 2023/24 season, while Curtis Jones has not shown his quality consistently enough.

One man that Liverpool have been linked with heading into the summer market is Atalanta's Ederson, who showed just how brilliant he can be during the Italian side's 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final. The Brazilian's grit and tough-tackling approach would compliment the more delicate Mac Allister perfectly.

Forwards

While Liverpool do have an array of options up top, the Reds are reportedly interested in bolstering their attacking setup this summer. However, that may hinge on the future of Luis Diaz, who could leave the club amid interest from Barcelona.

Darwin Nunez has also been linked with an exit in the coming window but Liverpool reportedly have no interest in selling the Uruguayan, who produced some good numbers last season despite another inconsistent campaign.

Mohamed Salah is likely to stay at Liverpool next season despite consistent links with Saudi Arabia and the fact that his contract expires in 2025. Despite a poor end to the season, the Egyptian has plenty of credit in the bank.

On the other flank, Diogo Jota may be preferred next season, with the Portuguese capable of interchanging with Nunez up top. The prolific forward is a relentless provider in the final third, although injuries have limited his impact in recent years.

Potentially a new position in the Liverpool side comes in attacking midfield. The Reds now have plenty of options in that role, with Dominik Szoboszlai perhaps the most obvious choice. Harvey Elliott could do a fine job there too, while Ryan Gravenberch and the returning Fabio Carvalho may also fight for that spot.

Potential Liverpool lineup for 2024/25 season

(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Ederson; Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Jota; Nunez.

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