Sunday's Merseyside derby win over Everton looks as though it may just secure Champions League qualification for Liverpool. And that could prove transformative to the club's transfer prospects heading into the pressure cauldron of a summer window.
Arne Slot already has a mountainous burden on his shoulders following a difficult season at Anfield. The Reds have not impressed as hoped following last summer's spend in excess of £400million, with no-one expecting the same expenditure this year.
However, with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving the club, and Hugo Ekitike set to be sidelined for a prolonged period with injury, Liverpool are well aware of certain priorities. But that doesn't mean the recruitment has to stop there as the ECHO breaks down what a dream (but realistic) squad would look like for the 2026/27 campaign.
One name many fans will be glad to see popping up on Liverpool's radar of late is Adam Wharton. For weeks, it's been reported Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in the £80m-rated midfielder, but it's now been reported that Liverpool are part of the race, too.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan have also been touted as rivals for the England international's signature, though talkSPORT has tipped Liverpool as a new contender. Wharton, 22, would very likely be the biggest expenditure of Slot's summer in the event he did join, especially as midfield isn't the highest-priority area for reinforcement at present.
That could be set to change in the very near future, however, given Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are each on contracts due to expire in 2027. Of those, Jones would be the most obvious candidate for an extension considering Endo will be 34 by the time his deal runs out and Bajcetic hasn't progressed as hoped after he first burst onto the scene.
There's also the incessant links between Real Madrid and Alexis Mac Allister, who has slumped in form this term and will become a free agent in 2028. If there's any inclination the Argentinian doesn't intend on penning a new deal, this summer could be Liverpool's last opportunity to get a premium return on their investment.
And Wharton sticks out as the high-calibre replacement who can thrive in that metronomic role to relieve others of pressure. And although there are other areas where major investment may be required, jumping to recruit the Crystal Palace star now could pay dividends down the line.
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A significant hole looks set to emerge on Liverpool's right flank this summer. Salah has already confirmed he's bound for the exit, creating a great deal of pressure for whomever is tasked with filling his boots at Anfield.
Expecting a like-for-like replacement to replicate Salah's impact would be folly. However, signing Eli Junior Kroupi from Bournemouth would give Liverpool a project player with a tremendous ceiling to perhaps one day challenge for the same heights.
The Frenchman is largely profiled as a striker or supporting forward but Kroupi in fact drifts wide to the right a lot to deal damage. This habit was again witnessed in Bournemouth's recent wins over Arsenal and Newcastle, scoring the opener against the former.
Kroupi, 19, wouldn't come cheap as the Daily Mail reported Manchester United, Chelsea and certain Spanish clubs are interested. It's been suggested the player is ready to leave the Vitality Stadium but would still cost a hefty £60m.
It helps Liverpool's case that Andoni Iraola is set to depart Bournemouth when his deal expires this summer. And given the Spaniard has been touted as a potential replacement for Slot should he leave, there could even be a swift reunion at Anfield.
Liverpool have already moved ahead of time to pick up one new addition in defence ahead of the summer. The January acquisition of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes was the clearest indicator yet that there could be change coming in the backline.
Ibrahima Konate could yet still leave on a free in July, though there are now real signs he'll pen an extension. However, with the ageing Virgil van Dijk poised to depart 12 months later and Joe Gomez's contract expiring at the same time, more is needed.
Van Dijk has been a bastion in central defence for the Reds since 2018 but the soon-to-be 35-year-old will soon leave a vacuum in his wake. Having already spent big on £55m Jacquet, it makes sense to add at least one more modest and experienced option alongside him.
In that vein, departing Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi could be a very smart pick-up, with Rhys Williams another who looks bound for the exit. The three-cap Argentina international has been a consistent standout in Bournemouth's back line since joining from Feyenoord in 2022.
And Slot will know precisely the kind of talent he has on his hands considering their previous work together in Rotterdam. At 28, Senesi is slightly older than the typical profile of player Liverpool might go for.
However, the funds saved by his Bosman status would mitigate much of the risk, and a little more experience in the role could go a long way to helping develop 20-year-old Jacquet at a faster pace.
To summarise, Liverpool will at the very least see Salah and Robertson leave the squad this summer, while Williams and Calvin Ramsay are also expected to depart. Senesi and Wharton's arrivals would bolster Slot's options in defence and midfield, while Kroupi could be the dream signing to ease Salah's departure.
Here is how that final squad would look:
Alisson, Mamardashvili, Pecsi; Jacquet, Bradley, Van Dijk, Senesi, Konate, Kerkez, Gomez, Leoni, Frimpong; Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Jones, Elliott, Bajcetic; Kroupi, Chiesa, Isak, Gakpo, Ngumoha.
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Sports journalist, writer and broadcaster with 16 years of professional experience. Currently writing sport stories across all Reach sites as a writer on the Content Hub team
