How Liverpool could line up in 2027 as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns and Alex Scott arrives at Anfield
Andoni Iraola might still be relatively new to the Liverpool hot seat, but he already knows another important rebuild could be on the horizon as he aims to bring the glory days back to Anfield.
After a summer that saw club legends Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson leave Merseyside, Iraola could lose even more valuable experience from his first-team squad by the end of the season.
Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are the two headline names out of contract next summer, meaning they could both sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs as early as January.
Iraola will hope to convince the pair that their futures lie at Anfield by delivering success this season. However, with Van Dijk now 35 and Alisson 34, there is also an acceptance that fresh blood will soon be needed in the Liverpool lineup. This is how it could look.
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How Liverpool could line up in 2027 under Iraola
The first place to start is in goal. Alisson has been an incredible servant to Liverpool, but even if he signs a new contract, the club must start planning for life without him. They have already signed Giorgi Mamardashvili as part of their succession plan, although he might not be ready to start next season if he has not enjoyed regular playing time in the Premier League.
Liverpool could therefore look to sign another goalkeeper, with Hull City shot-stopper Konstantinos Tzolakis already tipped to make a move next summer. Even if he does not immediately become the new No. 1, he could provide strong competition for Mamardashvili in the battle to become first choice.
The most important piece of business could come in central defence. Van Dijk is out of contract at the end of the season and has already been tipped as a potential target for Barcelona. Liverpool would struggle to replace the leadership and experience of the Dutch defender, although they might already have someone with the potential to fill his role at the heart of their defence.
Steven Gerrard has backed Jeremy Jacquet to become a key part of Liverpool's defence in the years ahead, making him a potential long-term successor to Van Dijk. The challenge could be finding the ideal partner for him, with expectations around Giovanni Leoni having been tempered by his nightmare start to life at the club due to injury.
Although he signed a lucrative new contract with Tottenham Hotspur two months ago, Micky van de Ven could be the ideal partner for Jacquet, though he would not come cheap. Alessandro Bastoni could prove a more attractive target, particularly as he will enter the final year of his Inter Milan contract next summer. That could represent the Serie A club's last opportunity to secure a substantial transfer fee for the Italy international.
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There could also be a change at right-back following Jeremie Frimpong's difficult start to life at Anfield. Liverpool have been linked with a sensational move to bring Trent Alexander-Arnold back to the club, with the 28-year-old reportedly frustrated by his lack of playing time under new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho. If that proves to be the case, it would be fascinating to see how Alexander-Arnold is received at Anfield following his controversial departure just last year.
With so many potential changes to the starting lineup, Liverpool could benefit from some stability at left-back. Milos Kerkez is beginning to settle in at the club and does not need replacing, although there is still room for improvement.
Iraola also has some stability in central midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to become club captain if Van Dijk leaves, and he has formed a promising partnership with Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the park.
Rather than replace the duo, Liverpool could move for long-term target Alex Scott and add him to their existing options in that position. His arrival would give Liverpool another quality central midfield option while allowing Szoboszlai to operate in a more advanced role when required, something he has not been able to do regularly this season.
Then there is Florian Wirtz. He has been hugely disappointing since his eye-watering move last year, but it might still be too soon to move him on, even if there has been little to suggest he will eventually justify his £116 million price tag.
The good news for Iraola is that he might not need to sign any new starters for the forward line next season. Bradley Barcola and Victor Munoz have both enjoyed promising starts to life at their new club this season, while Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike remain two of the best strikers in the Premier League.
Add Lewis Koumas' recent performances to the mix, and Liverpool have some very strong foundations on which to build.
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Topics: Premier League, Transfer News, Liverpool
Rich Fay