From Anfield’s stands to the press rooms beyond, one question continues to echo through Merseyside and across global fan fora: Who should Liverpool sign to stay atop the English game and reconquer Europe? After a summer of seismic changes and a bold new era under Arne Slot, the Reds still harbor gaps and ambitions. In this article, KorKick will walk you through where Liverpool need reinforcements, the most logical targets, and how each signing could shape their future.
The Squad After the Summer Blitz
Liverpool didn’t idle after clinching the Premier League crown — they rewrote their roster. The 2025 summer window saw Liverpool break club records twice, bringing in names like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Hugo Ekitike. (Confirmed ins and outs reflect a total of 10 new arrivals. ) Meanwhile, long-serving pillar Trent Alexander-Arnold departed for Real Madrid, and stalwarts like Luis Díaz left.
This turnover signals Guildhall-style ambition: not just defending the league but crafting a new identity. But after that overhaul, Liverpool still have key strategic holes — and with Champions League and domestic obligations looming, squad balance is everything.
Identifying the Gaps: What Liverpool Still Need
To decide who Liverpool should sign, we must first map where the squad remains light or fragile. Here are the most pressing needs:
1. Center-back / Defensive solidity
- Konaté’s future is uncertain, and the emergence of Giovanni Leoni was cut short by an ACL injury.
- Liverpool are already linked with elite names like Jarrad Branthwaite and others for future windows.
- The need: a defender who combines physicality, composure, and left-footed balance.
2. Right-back / Full-back depth
- With Trent gone, Jeremie Frimpong is a high-upside solution, but injury risk or rotation demands cover.
- Slot’s system demands full-backs who attack, defend, and provide width.
3. Midfield creativity & control
- Wirtz is a dazzling signing, but such marquee purchases often require reins and balance around them.
- Liverpool still need a midfield enforcer or box-to-box workhorse to complement and ground the system.
4. Strike depth
- Isak is a thunderous No. 9, and Ekitike adds firepower, yet depth behind them or alternative styles (e.g., false nine) remain scarce.
- Cup finals, European nights — Liverpool must avoid being one injury away.
Top Target Profiles: Who Liverpool Should Sign
Below, KorKick presents the most compelling targets — each fitting one of the gaps above.
Defensive reinforcements
- Jarrad Branthwaite — The Everton center-back is already being heavily linked. Young, composed, powerful, and with room to grow, he fits both present and future needs.
- Willian Pacho / Zeno Debast — Emerging European defenders whose attributes (versatility, pace) match modern full-back demands.
- Sven Botman — A proven presence in elite leagues, although cost and competition may be prohibitive.
Midfield balance
- Madrid’s watchlist: Warren Zaire-Emery is already floated as a dark horse midfield target. With excellent ball progression and age on his side, he fits the “future-now” mold.
- Premier League enforcer — A player like Declan Rice, if available, offers grit, aerial presence, and leadership to anchor midfield transitions.
Attack & flexibility
- Another versatile forward — Someone who can rotate with Isak and Ekitike, perhaps a false-nine or inside-forward profile.
- “Utility attacker” — A forward who can shift across front-line roles and relieve pressure in heavy fixture periods.
Scenario-Based Signings
Let’s imagine three plausible signings and what they would accomplish:
| Target | Role | Impact |
| Branthwaite | Center-back | Provides stability, reduces pressure on Leoni, prepares for Konaté exit |
| Declan-style midfielder | Midfield anchor | Balances Wirtz’s attacking freedom, offers defensive cover |
| Olise or versatile attacker | Attacking depth | Allows Slot flexibility, protects against injury or fatigue |
These are not pipe dreams — many of these links are in motion or under discussion.
Tactical Integration: How New Signings Fit Slot’s Vision
Slot’s Liverpool will likely play with intense width, quick transitions, pressing triggers, and positional fluidity. The incoming pieces must:
- Be comfortable in press transitions — defenders who can carry or intercept; midfielders who can recycle.
- Offer attacking impetus from full-back roles — hence Frimpong’s arrival and the focus on attacking full-backs.
- Give balance around stars — Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike are dynamic, but not every game calls for that. The supporting cast should ground the structure.
So when we ask who Liverpool should sign, it’s not just about name value — it’s about systemic fit.
Transfer Feasibility: Budget, Timing, and Competition
- Liverpool’s spending power is strong after their summer spree, but they must be selective.
- Many targets will command huge fees or face competition.
- January windows may be more realistic for “panic buys,” while 2026 planning must already be underway (e.g., braces for Konaté’s contract run-down).
- Opportunistic signings (e.g., out-of-favor stars) may offer value in bargains or loan-to-buy deals.
Roadblocks & Risks
- Injury risk / adaptation — even top signings need time to adapt to Slot’s demands and the Premier League’s brutality.
- Overloading one side — too many attackers or midfielders could create imbalance.
- Wages, personality fits, and squad harmony — signing big names is one thing; managing egos and tactics is another.
Final Thoughts
Who should Liverpool sign next is not a surprise — the gaps are clear: another center-back, a dynamic yet reliable midfielder, and attacking depth. But the choices demand finesse, not fireworks. The right blend of youth and experience, tactical fit, and long-term vision will decide whether this new era builds legends or flounders under expectation.
If you enjoyed this analysis and want dee, or predicted deals — KorKick has you covered. Let’s keep the debate alive: who would you bring to Liverpool next?
