Liverpool have a mountain to climb this summer. The reigning Premier League champions have put in a remarkably disappointing campaign this season. It will be a tough pill to swallow watching either Arsenal or Manchester City lift the trophy that Arne Slot's side grafted so relentlessly to win last year. A major overhaul of a squad set to lose several key figures will be essential.
Should the Reds secure Champions League football next season, which appears probable, the club's finances should be in a sufficiently strong position to fund any reconstruction. Here, we examine Liverpool's ideal starting XI for next season, should they make the most of the summer transfer window, with five new faces coming in, including new signing Jeremy Jacquet.
Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili and Lucas Chevalier
One of the most pressing issues Slot will need to address is the goalkeeping position. Alisson can lay claim to being Liverpool's finest ever keeper and still has 12 months remaining on his current deal. However, his 2025/26 campaign has been severely disrupted by injury and his difficulties could mark the conclusion of his time at Merseyside. Juventus have emerged as serious suitors for his signature.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will in all likelihood step into Alisson's boots, with Freddie Woodman serving as a capable back-up when required this season. Meanwhile, PSG's 24-year-old Lucas Chevalier could represent an astute signing to push Mamardashvili for his place. Although the Frenchman was dropped by Luis Enrique mid-season, he has displayed sufficient quality and may benefit from a fresh start to revive his career.
Full-backs: Pedro Porro and Milos Kerkez
Liverpool have simply failed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid last summer. Conor Bradley has shown glimpses of his potential at full-back but has been hampered by a string of injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong is yet to truly make the position his own. Despite Tottenham Hotspur's defensive frailties throughout this campaign, Pedro Porro stands out as a Premier League-tested defender who possesses many of Alexander-Arnold's qualities. Under former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, Porro excelled at pressing high up the pitch, delivering incisive passes and holding his own in one-on-one situations.
A move to a club with a more solid defensive structure could elevate the Spanish star to an entirely new level. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez has improved enormously since his arrival from Bournemouth last summer, and with Andy Robertson set to leave, the left-back berth is now firmly his to claim.
Centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet
It goes without saying that with so many experienced names heading for the exit at Liverpool, retaining Van Dijk at the heart of their defence is absolutely crucial. The Dutch captain's leadership will prove essential for Slot as he integrates a number of younger talents into the side. While Ibrahima Konate may put pen to paper on fresh terms to remain at Anfield, incoming 20-year-old centre-back Jacquet, who joined the Reds in January for £60 million, will in all likelihood be earmarked to partner and develop alongside Van Dijk.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai, Elliot Anderson and Florian Wirtz
There will be intense competition for Nottingham Forest's Anderson this summer. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been reported to potentially command a fee as high as £120 million this summer, would introduce a fresh element of resilience to Slot's midfield, something that has been sorely absent this season. Alexis Mac Allister has endured a difficult campaign and could be offloaded to generate transfer funds this summer. Curtis Jones appears to have slipped down the pecking order under Slot, while Wataru Endo will in all probability depart the club.
While Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is also in contention to fit into Liverpool's midfield, it's Anderson who could form a partnership with Ryan Gravenberch in a double pivot or assume defensive responsibilities on his own, with the consistently impressive Szoboszlai providing support. Wirtz, despite struggling to justify his £116 million valuation thus far, should be granted a roaming role to allow him to demonstrate his undoubted ability.
Front three: Michael Olise, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike
On paper, it's a dream proposition. Olise, having notched 41 goals in 104 appearances for Bayern Munich, appears a natural successor to Mo Salah, who is departing the club this summer. The vision of the Frenchman charging down the right wing this season, tormenting and probing with his lethal left foot, will have given Liverpool supporters plenty to ponder.
Alongside Olise, should Liverpool manage to extract him from Bayern for upwards of £100 million – one report has even suggested his valuation at £173 million – is Ekitike operating from the left. The Frenchman's campaign has been tragically curtailed by a severe Achilles tendon injury, but his 17 goals in his inaugural season demonstrate the 23-year-old is equal to the challenge.
Complimenting them is Alexander Isak. While it's been an imperfect first season for the British record acquisition, the Swede remains one of the most clinical strikers in Europe and it's surely just a question of time before he finds his rhythm and clicks with his new colleagues.
Liverpool's dream first XI for 2026/2027: Lucas Chevalier, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Pedro Porro, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Elliot Anderson, Florian Wirtz, Michael Olise, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike.
