Liverpool had an eventful transfer window this summer, and they have improved their squad significantly over the last few months.
Liverpool were the highest spending club in the Premier League this summer, and they have brought in multiple marquee signings in order to add more quality to the squad. The Premier League champions will be looking to retain their domestic crown, and they will look to do well in the UEFA Champions League as well. They have broken the British transfer twice this summer, and expectations will be huge for them in the coming months.
Liverpool 2025/26 notable signings
- Alexander Isak – £125m – Newcastle United
- Florian Wirtz – £116m – Bayer Leverkusen
- Hugo Ekitike – £79m – Eintracht Frankfurt
- Milos Kerkez – £40m – Bournemouth
- Jeremie Frimpong – £29.5m – Bayer Leverkusen
- Giorgi Mamardashvili – £29m – Valencia
- Giovanni Leoni – £26m – Parma
It will be interesting to see if the new signing can hit the ground running in the Premier League and make an instant impact for Liverpool. They will be under pressure to deliver and win major trophies this season.
Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three signings Liverpool should have made in addition to the ones they have brought in. While there is no doubt that Liverpool have addressed most of their weaknesses this summer, there is still a need for depth in certain areas of the squad.
Marc Guehi
The Crystal Palace captain was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool all summer, but he missed out on the move eventually. Liverpool agreed on a £35 million deal with the South London club for the England international, but Crystal Palace pulled the plug on the deal late in the window. They failed to secure a quality replacement for their club, captain and manager. Oliver Glasner threatened to submit his resignation if Crystal Palace sanctioned his departure.
Arne Slot has quality defenders at his disposal, but Liverpool need more depth in that area of the pitch. Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate can be quite injury-prone. Virgil van Dijk needs to be managed carefully, and Giovanni Leoni is unproven at this level. Having another reliable central defender would have been ideal for Liverpool. The Englishman could have improved them immensely.
Apart from the lack of depth, Guehi brings and unique skill set to the team. Liverpool currently have van Dijk as the only central defender who can produce line-breaking passes from the deep. In his absence, Liverpool will struggle to create from the deep. Having the Crystal Palace captain at their disposal could have solved that problem. He is exceptional with the ball at his feet.
Joao Palhinha
The Portuguese International ended up joining Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Bayern Munich. Instead, Liverpool should have done their best to sign him. The Reds are lacking in depth in the defensive midfield department.
Liverpool were overly dependent on Ryan Gravenberch last season. They missed him in the opening games of the season as well. Without the Dutchman at the base of their midfield, the Premier League champions have looked vulnerable. They have also struggled to control games.
Having a reliable defensive midfielder to support him would have been ideal. Wataru Endo is a decent player, but he is not good enough to start for Liverpool if they are hoping to win elite trophies. Palhinha has managed to hit the ground running with Tottenham, and he was outstanding in his opening games of the season. There is no doubt that he would have been a quality addition.
Malick Fofana
Liverpool have invested heavily in the attacking unit, but there is no doubt that the need more quality on the flanks. Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa are the only natural wingers in the squad right now. It is evident that Liverpool do not trust the Italian international enough to give him regular opportunities. That leaves them with Sala as the only reliable wide player.
They were heavily linked with a move for the Belgian attacker, and he would have been a quality long-term investment. The 20-year-old would have added pace, flair, and unpredictability to the squad. The Lyon prospect is young enough to improve further, and he has the potential to develop into a key player for Liverpool.
Rio Ngumoha is an elite talent, but he is largely improving at this level. Liverpool cannot rely on him consistently. They should have added more quality and depth in that area of the pitch. While Arsenal and Chelsea also showed interest in Fofana, Liverpool should have taken a chance to add to Arne Slot’s options on the flanks. The Belgian winger’s versatility and age profile would have made him an appealing target.
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can cope with the lack of depth in the aforementioned areas and still fight for the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League this season. There is no doubt that they are a champion team with quality players at their disposal. If Arne Slot can manage his team diligently, they will have every chance of having another successful campaign.
