Liverpool's Summer Debate: Reshaping the Team's Spine
Liverpool’s summer debate is getting louder by the day. It is no longer just about who replaces Mohamed Salah. It is about reshaping the spine of the team, the way it runs, presses, and scores.
And the suggestions are coming from everywhere.
MacAnthony’s big Wharton call
Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, a Liverpool supporter and never shy with an opinion, would start with the midfield.
"I'd love them to sign Wharton," he told talkSPORT, pushing hard for Adam Wharton to swap Crystal Palace for Anfield.
MacAnthony did not tiptoe around his concerns about Alexis Mac Allister’s season.
"I think Alexis Mac Allister, for me, his legs were gone last year. It was only when he put an Argentina shirt on that his legs reappeared."
In his mind, Liverpool should be ruthless. Move Mac Allister on, bring in Wharton, and lock down the position for the best part of a decade.
"If you could do business there with him going, I think you bring [Wharton] in and you’ve got a player for the next seven, eight years that will be a starter.
"He’s got so much upside and potential in him. Even if he costs £85M-£100M or whatever else, you’re getting the player for the long-term."
The price tag does not scare him. The idea of missing out on a long-term midfield anchor does.
Barcola, Salah and the search for goals
Out wide, another name is circling the Liverpool conversation: Bradley Barcola.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes the Paris Saint-Germain forward would be a clever addition.
"He's played on the left for PSG," Smith said. "He can play on the right, so it's not as if you would earmark him as a like-for-like replacement for Mohamed Salah.
"But it looks like he's going to move if PSG can accept a fee. It seems to be between Liverpool and Arsenal. He's a talented player; we saw that in the World Cup. He'd be a great signing for Liverpool."
Smith, speaking to Liverpool.com on behalf of Best Betting Sites, underlined the obvious issue: replacing Salah’s numbers.
"With Salah going, a like-for-like replacement in terms of goal output is a priority."
Then came a twist. Smith floated an alternative route to goals, pointing away from the wing.
"But the thing is, with Alexander Isak back fit, Hugo Ekitike is going to be out for a few months, but Isak got himself a goal the other day in pre-season, so he's well capable of getting 20 plus league goals.
"So that might be an answer for them with Salah going. And Florian Wirtz, second season, he can chip in, get well into double figures. But I'd still think that they'll be after a striker or an attacking player."
The message was clear: one signing will not be enough. Liverpool’s attack may need a full rethink.
Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries and a crowded right flank
At the back, the picture is changing as well.
With Denzel Dumfries heading to Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces serious competition at right-back this season. His role has been a talking point for years, and the noise is only growing.
Reports in Spain have suggested Jose Mourinho could move him into midfield, though that area is already packed with options. The battle for places will be fierce.
One thing, though, is not in doubt: his talent.
He is too good not to play. Somewhere. Somehow. Across a long, gruelling campaign, there will be minutes for him to shape.
Gerrard and the Van Dijk phone call
Amid all the speculation, Steven Gerrard has pulled back the curtain on one of the most important decisions in Liverpool’s recent history: Virgil van Dijk’s choice between Anfield and Manchester City in 2017.
"He phoned me at the time, actually," Gerrard revealed. "I knew his agent really well. It was City, Liverpool.
"He said to me, ‘I haven’t phoned you to sort of push me one way or the other, because I know which way you’re going to push me. But just tell me a little bit about Liverpool?’"
Gerrard did not launch into a sales pitch. He simply framed the choice.
"I just said to him, ‘Look, if it’s about what the clubs stand for and what the clubs are about, you’re wasting your time because I think you already know the answer to that.’"
"It was an interesting conversation and I was so happy that he chose us."
Van Dijk’s decision changed Liverpool’s trajectory. The club now faces another summer of defining calls.
Meulensteen’s surprise solution: McTominay
One of the more unexpected ideas has come from former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen, who believes Liverpool should target Scott McTominay, now at Napoli.
"McTominay has Gerrard-esque qualities and would suit Liverpool, he's one of those midfielders that can get you goals, now how many of those midfielders are around today?" Meulensteen told Tipman Tips.
"He brings physicality, energy, drive, braveness, courage, goals, and makes good box runs.
"I've been very impressed with him since he left United because that could have easily been the start of his career fizzling out. But with Scott it’s the total opposite, he has bloomed and come to life."
From Wharton to McTominay, the theme is unmistakable: power, legs, goals from midfield. The old Liverpool blueprint, reimagined.
Behind closed doors, the work goes on
While the rumours swirl, the team’s preparations continue away from the noise.
Liverpool’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Como this weekend has been nudged forward. The first game of the day will now kick off at 11.30am (UK time), half an hour earlier than planned, with the later fixture in front of supporters staying at 6pm (UK time).
No fans will be inside for the early match, but it will be streamed on the club’s official channels. Quiet stands, loud implications: minutes for fringe players, tactical tweaks, auditions for roles that may soon be vacated or reshaped.
Names are being thrown at Liverpool from every angle right now. Wharton, Barcola, McTominay, strikers, playmakers, wide forwards. The real question is not who they can sign.
It is what kind of Liverpool they want to build next.
