Liverpool may have missed out on Premier League and Champions League final glory, but it was still an incredible 2021/22 season for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
They played every game possible during the season and showed incredible fight, stamina and courage even though the matches kept on coming.
But the Reds know that strengthening and evolving their squad is the only way to keep pace with Manchester City and the other teams who aspire to be as good as them, so expect some turnover at Anfield over the summer.
Here’s how they could line up in the 2022/23 season.
Liverpool’s goalkeeping options are pretty damn strong, with Alisson, arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, ably supported by Caoimhin Kelleher in cup competitions.
The Reds also have the experience of Adrian to call upon if there’s an injury complaint, although the Spaniard has hinted that he’d like some more miles in the legs before he hangs up his boots for retirement, and Loris Karius still exists. No, really, he does.
It’s certainly not an area that Liverpool actively need to strengthen, with Jurgen Klopp’s priorities further up the field.
Defence is another strong area for Liverpool, who are blessed with options on the right, in the middle and on the left.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of world’s football’s finest right-backs, and he’s ably supported by Joe Gomez currently – who is somehow the Reds’ fourth choice centre-back. Neco Williams may be heading to Fulham on a permanent basis, but the Welshman could be replaced by talented teenager Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen as Alexander-Arnold’s main understudy.
Ibrahima Konate has every chance of ousting Joel Matip in the heart of defence, despite the latter having a superb 2021/22 season, where he’d probably line up alongside Virgil van Dijk. Andy Robertson will be in place on the left, with Konstantinos Tsimikas a fine deputy.
Nathaniel Phillips may leave permanently and a loan move for Rhys Williams would make sense.
Central midfield is an area where Liverpool have a number of bodies, but it’s apparent that younger reinforcements are needed.
Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni looks to be heading to Real Madrid, but you can never say never in the transfer window – and Liverpool are seriously interested in signing him. Fabinho is a shoo-in when fit, while Thiago‘s class oozes out of his feet.
Jordan Henderson is no longer a certain starter but he’s a very capable player alongside Naby Keita James Milner and Curtis Jones. As for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, there’s surely no room at the inn. Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips is another realistic target who Liverpool are known to like.
Listen now to 90min’s brand new podcast, Talking Transfers, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey & Toby Cudworth. This week they discuss whether Sadio Mane will leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich, Manchester United’s pursuit of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, Newcastle’s plans for Moussa Diaby and Sven Botman & Jorginho’s future at Chelsea.
What a summer it could be for Liverpool’s front line. Not only is a Sadio Mane departure to Bayern Munich suddenly looking very likely, there’s also a huge question mark over the future of Mohamed Salah – he has just one year left on his contract and talks have, well, stalled.
Real Madrid need a right winger and have long been linked with Salah – they couldn’t, could they? Don’t fully rule it out.
Were that scenario to come to pass, there’s plenty of potential incomings to get excited about. Ajax winger Antony is an exceptional talent who Klopp loves, Jarrod Bowen is a long-term target and there’s also Darwin Nunez of Benfica to keep an eye on.
Add any two of those to Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, and Liverpool will still have an abundance of riches up front. There will, however, be no more Divock Origi, and there’s every chance that it’s bye bye time for Takumi Minamino.
