One very obvious need remains a more clinical No.9 to replace the largely ineffectual Darwin Nunez, who will almost certainly be moved on this summer to make way for a big-money addition in that role.<\/p>\n
To that end, TEAMtalk breaks down the Liverpool starting XI that is sure to strike fear into rivals ahead of the 2025\/26 campaign \u2013 especially in attack.<\/p>\n
Arne Slot\u2019s new-look Liverpool XI\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 GK \u2013 Alisson<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite the arrival of the highly-rated Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson deservedly keeps his spot in the Anfield goal after another campaign \u2013 although the clock is clearly now ticking on the 32-year-old Brazilian\u2019s time on Merseyside.<\/p>\n Caoimhin Kelleher\u2019s expected sale also helps fund Liverpool\u2019s big outlay this summer, with the Republic of Ireland stopper heavily linked with the likes of Leeds United, Chelsea and Aston Villa<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 RB \u2013 Jeremie Frimpong\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Reds have already snapped up one of the best attacking full-backs in European football to fill the massive void left by Alexander-Arnold\u2019s departure.<\/p>\n The Dutchman, who has largely played as a wing-back at Bayer Leverkusen, will have to put the brakes on occasionally in Slot\u2019s back four but should still be a massive hit in the Premier League \u2013 especially at a price tag of just \u00a329.5m.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS \u27a1\ufe0f\u00a0Frimpong next: 10 players who replaced a Liverpool icon and how they fared<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 CB \u2013 Ibrahima Konate<\/strong><\/p>\n Talk continues of Liverpool potentially looking for an upgrade on the France international, however, it\u2019s more likely that Slot adds more squad depth to cover the position.<\/p>\n Konate, who was recently linked with a switch to Real Madrid<\/a>, has made 41 appearances in all competitions in 2024\/25 and once again proved to be a quality starter alongside the elite Vigil van Dijk.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 CB \u2013 Virgil van Dijk<\/strong><\/p>\n Fresh off signing his new two-year contract at Anfield, the Dutchman enters his ninth season leading the line from the back having won the lot during his time on Merseyside.<\/p>\n Van Dijk, who will turn 34 in July, remains one of the top central defenders in Europe and will play a pivotal role in making sure the club\u2019s new signings bed in.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 LB \u2013 Milos Kerkez\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the outstanding defensive prospects of the last couple of seasons arrives at Anfield to replace Robertson and give Liverpool a different dimension from the left flank.<\/p>\n The Bournemouth man is expected to seal a\u00a0\u00a340million move to Merseyside in the coming weeks, having already agreed personal terms. <\/a><\/p>\n Kerkez enjoyed another superb campaign on the south coast in 2024\/25, notching two goals and six assists in 38 Premier League appearances.<\/p>\n The Hungary international is renowned for his quality delivery and would be a clear upgrade on the ageing Robertson, who is now in the twilight of what has been a trophy-laden career on Merseyside.<\/p>\n Kerkez vs Robertson 2024\/25 stats comparison<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 CM \u2013 Ryan Gravenberch<\/strong><\/p>\n The Netherlands star was a consistent performer at the heart of Liverpool\u2019s midfield last season, playing 49 games in a defensive role in front of Slot\u2019s back four.<\/p>\n The jury was out during his first season at the club, where he played further forward under Jurgen Klopp. However, after moving to a deep-lying role, the 23-year-old has not looked back and has become one of the first names on Slot\u2019s team sheet.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 CM- Alexis Mac Allister<\/strong><\/p>\n The Argentine\u2019s ability to play in multiple central midfield roles makes in invaluable to Slot, with Mac Allister having played an almost equal number of games as a defensive midfielder and in the No.8 position.<\/p>\n His initial \u00a335million fee continues to look like one of the bargains of the decade and there\u2019s no budging the former Brighton man from Slot\u2019s plans going forward.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 AM \u2013 Florian Wirtz<\/strong><\/p>\n Liverpool have succeeded with their ambitious move for Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s Florian Wirtz after agreeing to pay the Bundesliga side an initial \u00a3100million and a further \u00a316million in potential add-ons.<\/a><\/p>\n The Germany international had also been strongly linked with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but his heart was set on a switch to Merseyside.<\/p>\n Having played a role in an incredible 122 goals in just 197 games from attacking midfield, while also securing Leverkusen\u2019s first-ever Bundesliga title in their history, it\u2019s easy to see why the player was in such high demand.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old talent will arguably bring in a different dimension to Slot\u2019s attack, with his ability to find space between the lines and create opportunities for himself and others.<\/p>\n Potential Liverpool starting XI 2025\/26<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 RW \u2013 Mohamed Salah<\/strong><\/p>\n Two more years for the club legend, who enjoyed another remarkable campaign on Merseyside in 2024\/25.<\/p>\n The will he or won\u2019t he contract saga finally ended in April when Salah decided to extend his stay at Liverpool and he continues to deliver the goods at an elite level.<\/p>\n Salah will be missed though when he heads off to the AFCON for a month from December into January, adding to the need to bring in quality cover on the right.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 ST \u2013 Alexander Isak\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The big one in terms of Slot\u2019s side making even bigger strides than they have in his remarkable first season at the club.<\/p>\n Isak would be the lethal central attacking threat that the Reds did not really have in 2024\/25, which is a scary proposition for their title rivals next season.<\/p>\n The Sweden international will not come cheap, with some reports suggesting Newcastle want up to \u00a3150million for his services.<\/p>\n![\"Kerkez](\"https:\/\/images.www.teamtalk.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/04124008\/kerkez-vs-robertson-stats-comparison-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Potential](\"https:\/\/images.www.teamtalk.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/22150124\/liverpool-starting-line-up-2025-26-1.jpg\")
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