Liverpool's huge summer transfer window broken down: More forward spending? Konate future? Ekitike injury impact?

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It’s the latest in a long line of painful setbacks that have blighted Liverpool’s troubled campaign. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo all suffered season-ending injuries, while record signing Alexander Isak missed nearly four months due to a broken fibula. Alisson and Jeremie Frimpong have also had significant spells on the sidelines. With established stars in decline and many new recruits struggling to live up to their hefty price tags, weaknesses in Arne Slot’s depleted squad have been repeatedly exposed. A dismal tally of 17 defeats in all competitions tells the story. There was already much to sort out in the transfer market this summer, given that they will be losing a huge amount of experience and leadership with the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson. Now there’s the added headache of trying to fill the void created by the extended absence of their 17-goal top scorer. It would be wildly optimistic to believe that Isak can shoulder that burden alone. Uncertainty reigns. How much Liverpool will have to spend this summer will be influenced by whether they go on to secure the riches that come with Champions League qualification. If they miss out on a top-five Premier League finish, then the clamour for Slot to be replaced will be hard for owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to ignore. Eyebrows were raised after Tuesday’s game when Slot told Prime Video: “This model of the club means that we have to sell, usually, to buy, so it’s a big challenge. It was already a big challenge last season, and it’s going to be a challenge in the summer again. But the club has already shown many times that this model works.” It would be disingenuous to suggest Liverpool rely on generating money from offloading players in order to land their top transfer targets. It’s not ‘sell to buy’, but internally, the Anfield hierarchy talks about buying well and selling well to buy again. Last summer, they embarked on a record-breaking £450million ($610m at current exchange rates) spending spree and raised around £224m from sales, when you factor in performance-related add-ons. It was their highest net spend in a transfer window in their history. But the scale of that investment in young talent was also regarded by FSG as a one-off, and this summer, Liverpool will have fewer valuable assets that could realistically be sold in order to swell the kitty. They have already committed £60m to the signing of French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who will arrive from Rennes for the start of pre-season in July. So what are the other priorities they need to address if Liverpool are to challenge for the biggest prizes again next season? Long a position of strength for Liverpool, it’s now one of concern. Alisson has missed 13 Premier League and Champions League matches so far this season due to fitness issues. He’s expected to return to action at the start of May. Last month, Liverpool triggered their one-year option to keep the 33-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper at Anfield until the summer of 2027. It means he’s likely to remain as the club’s No 1 for one final season — unless his head is turned by an offer from elsewhere. He has previously snubbed interest from the Saudi Pro League. Liverpool believed they had bought the perfect long-term successor for Alisson when they paid Valencia £29m for Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, the Georgia international has endured a mixed first season at the club. Some of his shot-stopping has been impressive, but he’s nervy with the ball at his feet, and his wayward distribution has, at times, put the team under pressure. At 25, he’s still relatively young in goalkeeping terms, but the jury is out. He needs to raise the bar next season. In terms of backup, Liverpool must decide whether to keep third-choice Freddie Woodman beyond this season. Vitezslav Jaros is recovering from the serious knee injury he suffered on loan at Ajax, while the club have high hopes for young Hungarian goalkeeper Armin Pecsi. Much hinges on whether Ibrahima Konate finally pens an extension. The France international’s current deal expires at the end of June. If Konate stays, then the squad will be well stocked at centre-back. Captain Virgil van Dijk has one more year on his contract before his expected farewell, while Liverpool have Leoni coming back from injury and Jacquet joining from Rennes. If Konate departs, there will be a gap that has to be filled. Joe Gomez has come close to leaving a few times in recent years, and once again, there’s a decision to be made about his future. He’s out of contract in 2027, and this summer will effectively be the last chance to get a fee for him. Right-back throws up another dilemma recruitment-wise. Conor Bradley was long viewed as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s natural heir. The Northern Irishman’s talent is undeniable, but injuries have continued to hamper his development. Bradley is currently recovering from season-ending knee surgery sustained in January. Frimpong has had a stop-start first campaign at Anfield due to recurring hamstring problems. The Dutchman is an asset going forward, but he has struggled defensively. Too often, Dominik Szoboszlai has been forced into duty as a makeshift right-back this season, and that’s only served to weaken the midfield. It can’t happen next season, so another option would be useful. Calvin Ramsay, whose only two outings have been in the domestic cups, is set to move on. On the left, Milos Kerkez has been one of the few success stories, with the Hungarian overcoming a tough start following his move from Bournemouth to firmly establish himself in the side. He’s endeared himself to supporters with the character he’s shown. Liverpool will either have to buy a backup left-back to replace Robertson, or the cheaper, short-term option would involve using Kostas Tsimikas in that role next season. The Greece international will be returning from a loan spell at Roma. The midfield quartet of Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, and Ryan Gravenberch were pivotal to last season’s Premier League title triumph. However, only Szoboszlai has hit the same heights this time around. The drop-off in Mac Allister’s form has been the most pronounced. The World Cup winner, who has two years left on his contract, recently said no discussions were taking place with the club over an extension. The Athletic reported earlier this year that he is “well-liked” at Real Madrid. Jones has cut a frustrated figure at times, only starting twice in the Premier League since mid-January. Liverpool dismissed an approach from Serie A outfit Inter shortly before the January transfer deadline. The academy graduate only has one more season on his contract and Liverpool won’t want to risk losing him for nothing in 2027. Will either Mac Allister or Jones depart? It depends on what offers are forthcoming. Gravenberch is certainly going nowhere, having penned a new six-year contract last month, while talks with Szoboszlai over a new deal are ongoing. Liverpool remain convinced about the wisdom of buying Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee potentially rising to £116m and believe he will kick on next season after getting to grips with the intensity of the Premier League. Teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni ideally needs a loan to boost his development, while Endo is likely to stay for the final year of his contract as a squad player unless he pushes for a move in search of more game time. If Slot keeps his job, it’s hard to see Harvey Elliott forcing his way into contention when he returns from an unhappy loan spell at Aston Villa. Liverpool won’t be receiving the £35m they initially expected from Villa for the move to become permanent, and his inactivity won’t have enhanced his value. This season has been a write-off for Stefan Bajcetic due to injury, and it’s now nearly two years since the Spain youth international made his last appearance for the club. Liverpool have been bullied at times this season, and their midfield department could do with an injection of physicality and quality this summer. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would be expensive but attractive options. There were major changes to Liverpool’s front line last summer. Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were both sold, while there was also the tragic death of Diogo Jota. With Wirtz bought to provide creativity as the No 10, the signings of Isak and Ekitike were supposed to complement the firepower provided by Salah. It hasn’t worked out how anyone envisaged. Salah’s output dwindled to such an extent that he was dropped by Slot and then initiated talks that led to the final year of his contract effectively being ripped up. The legendary Egyptian is guaranteed an Anfield send-off next month in recognition of his heroics, but this isn’t the way he wanted to bow out. Remarkably, Tuesday night was the first time the £320m trio of Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz had started a game together at Anfield. It lasted just 28 minutes before Ekitike went down in agony. It means they have been on the field for only 116 minutes together this season. Ekitike has been the pick of the attackers, with 17 goals in all competitions. In contrast, Isak has only scored three times in 19 appearances (11 starts). Having netted 18 times in 2024-25, Cody Gakpo only has eight goals to his name this season. Too predictable and lacking confidence, he’s gone backwards in terms of performance levels. Gakpo looks set to stick around, but he can’t afford another campaign like this one. The rise of Rio Ngumoha has been a delight to watch, and the teenager is destined to be a regular starter in the future. Liverpool have been crying out for more pace in wide areas. Federico Chiesa had his moments earlier in the season, but they’re a distant memory. Four of his five starts have been in the domestic cups, and a parting of the ways this summer makes sense for everyone. With Salah leaving, Chiesa set to follow, Ekitike a long-term absentee, and question marks over Isak’s ability to stay fit and consistently deliver, Liverpool need to invest heavily once again in their front line. A dynamic right-winger is a must if they are going to be equipped to break down low blocks and, ideally, another versatile forward who can play centrally at least while Ekitike is sidelined. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms James Pearce joins the Athletic after 14 years working for the Liverpool Echo. The dad-of-two has spent the past decade covering the fortunes of Liverpool FC across the globe to give fans the inside track on the Reds from the dressing room to the boardroom. Follow James on Twitter @JamesPearceLFC