This is going to be a summer of seismic change at Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s departure as head coach last weekend was both unsurprising, after the club’s poor end to their dismal Premier League title defence, and a shock, given how vehemently the club had backed him prior to that decision.
Anfield officials do not want to let the uncertainty drag on and Andoni Iraola, a free agent after leaving Bournemouth, is the front-runner to succeed Slot.
But the questions do not end there. This could also be a significant transfer window on Merseyside, with gaping holes in the squad needing to be filled and doubts over the long-term futures of some senior players.
The information in this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Sources with knowledge of transfer dealings, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have been spoken to before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment.
Who will make key decisions this window?
Fenway Sports Group CEO of football Michael Edwards and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes are the two most important figures when it comes to recruitment. Edwards is responsible for how the club’s resources are allocated and Hughes is tasked with negotiating deals.
The head coach also has an input in deciding which targets are pursued but, with that position currently vacant, it remains to be seen how much progress will be made on transfers until it is filled.
What positions will they be looking at in the summer window?
The priority is buying wide attackers. There is a big void to fill in the squad after the end of Mohamed Salah’s record-breaking Liverpool career. Federico Chiesa is also expected to move on this summer, while top scorer Hugo Ekitike is set to be sidelined until at least midway through next season with an Achilles injury.
Liverpool will look to bolster their midfield department after being repeatedly outfought in that area in 2025-26. Right-back is another position that needs addressing with Conor Bradley still recovering from a serious knee injury.
Andy Robertson’s departure isn’t expected to lead to Liverpool buying a left-back, with Kostas Tsimikas set to provide cover for Milos Kerkez after his return from a loan spell at Roma.
Liverpool also have to weigh up whether they have sufficient centre-back cover following the exit of Ibrahima Konate as a free agent. With new signing Jeremy Jacquet joining captain Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni at Anfield, club sources currently stress that they have bigger priorities to address.
Jeremy Jacquet is arriving at Liverpool this summer (Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP via Getty Images)
What is the manager’s priority?
Until the vacancy is filled that will remain unclear.
Liverpool’s hierarchy say they want “a more front foot, aggressive and urgent style of football” going forward. If, as expected, Iroala is tasked with delivering that then he will need a sizeable injection of pace, dynamism and athleticism into the squad he inherits from Slot.
Are there any specific players they are targeting?
The Athletic reported on May 22 that RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande had emerged as a leading target for Liverpool this summer. However, the 19-year-old Ivory Coast international won’t come cheap with the Bundesliga outfit looking to recoup in excess of €100million (£86.5m; $116.4m).
Diomande contributed 12 goals and nine assists in 33 league appearances for Leipzig this season.
Who will they be looking to sell?
There’s a decision to make on midfielder Curtis Jones, who is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer and has attracted interest from Inter.
It’s a similar story with Harvey Elliott following his return to Liverpool after a disappointing season-loan loan at Aston Villa where he rarely featured. He will wait to discover whether he features in the new head coach’s plans before deciding his future.
Like Salah, Robertson and Konate, defender Rhys Williams will leave as a free agent.
In terms of generating funds from the sale of fringe players, Liverpool are pretty limited this summer. Chiesa is unlikely to command much of a fee if, as expected, he returns to Italy, while Calvin Ramsay also needs a new challenge.
The Athletic revealed last week that Alisson is increasingly likely to stay at Anfield for the final year of his contract. The Brazil No 1 is wanted by Juventus but Liverpool have shown no willingness to sanction his sale.
Alisson Becker is set to stay at Anfield (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Will anyone be earmarked for a loan away?
With the squad heavily depleted at the start of pre-season due to the World Cup, a number of decisions regarding loan moves for youngsters are set to be delayed until later in the window.
Midfielder Trey Nyoni would certainly benefit from regular first-team football elsewhere after being an unused substitute 23 times in the Premier League in 2025-26. Forward Kieran Morrison, who signed a new four-year contract last week, is attracting strong loan interest from the Championship and elsewhere in Europe.
James McConnell, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns could also secure temporary moves.
What moves have they made already?
They agreed a £60million deal with Rennes at the end of the winter window for Jacquet to join Liverpool this summer. He will be ready for the start of pre-season training next month following his recovery from a shoulder injury.
What sort of budget do they have and what is their SCR position?
Senior club figures insist that last summer’s record outlay, when Liverpool invested close to £450million in the squad, inclusive of add-ons, won’t be repeated.
However, salvaging Champions League qualification from such a difficult campaign does make a difference in terms of the money available. They don’t have any concerns regarding satisfying the new SCR rules.
