The ultimate goal for Liverpool is to finally land the Premier League title, after an increasing long wait for one. It’s been 28 years. This season, Manchester City were dominant in victory and no-one could truly keep pace with them. However, Liverpool themselves were one of very few who managed to challenge and actually defeat Pep Guardiola’s side - three victories across both Champions League and domestic fixtures support this.
If they are able to remain consistent throughout the nine-month campaign, who knows what the future may hold for them?
It’s becoming apparent that only a few pieces of the jigsaw remain before Liverpool are a complete team. RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita is set to officially complete his move for a finalised transfer fee of £52.75million, after an agreement was struck last summer.
So with that in mind, here are five other players who could also join him at Anfield and help the Reds to potentially mount a title challenge next season and beyond.
#5 Jack Butland (Stoke City)
Stoke City were relegated from the Premier League this season, meaning that some of their best players are naturally expected to seek a move away from the bet365 Stadium with interested suitors scattered across Europe.
One of their best players is potential England number one, Jack Butland. A great shot-stopper, he often indulges in integrating himself with team-mates during phases of build-up play as he regularly comes off his line. He would replace Simon Mignolet, whose career on Merseyside appears to be over.
Loris Karius, who was under-fire earlier in his days as a Red, has been doing a fairly good job since replacing Mignolet as Klopp’s first-choice this term and as a result, should remain that way for now. Butland would provide solid cover and important competition which would keep Karius on his toes - healthy competition for places is never a bad thing after all.
#4 Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City)
Another quality player who appears set to leave the Potters is Xherdan Shaqiri - who could be available for a cut-price fee of only £12m. Liverpool may not particularly have their sights set on him as a transfer target but he’d represent an interesting option to consider in attack.
Shaqiri is someone who previously sparked Liverpool interest in previous seasons and if available, there’s no reason why they should not look at him once more. The Reds’ current frontline have been fit and firing all season but beyond that, they need more quality in attack.
The Swiss winger, 26, would be more than capable of providing that as an alternative for Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mané for example. However a potential stumbling block behind this move would be his eagerness to play regularly - which Klopp will not guarantee him - so he may prefer a starring role at a smaller side such as West Ham or Merseyside rivals Everton.
#3 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Leicester City’s Young Player of the Year looks like the real deal and could be the answer to Liverpool’s loud cry for a strong defensive midfielder. Their current midfield is good, but can be improved - the lack of a strongman who relishes getting stuck into hard challenges is evident.
Ndidi, 21, reads the game well and could fit in perfectly alongside summer acquisition Keita at the base of their midfield. A bigger, less snappy version of N’Golo Kanté, he’s precisely the type of player that Jurgen Klopp would enjoy working with too.
With Emre Can heading for the exit door at Anfield, Ndidi would be a very welcome addition alongside Keita - provided Liverpool are willing to pay a high fee for his services, as he’d naturally not come cheap.
#2 Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
The Lyon academy graduate is a versatile attacker, capable of playing on the wing or as an attacking midfielder. This would be very welcome at Liverpool, covering a wide range of depth in the final third - which has been lacking despite recent success following Phillipe Coutinho’s big-money switch to Barcelona in January.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was revelling as their spearhead behind the frontline, but a serious knee injury cruelly cut short his rise and he’s expected to be sidelined until November. Adam Lallana meanwhile, has been battling injury problems all season long and is unlikely to play more than a secondary role for the Reds in future.
Fekir would represent an impressive replacement for Coutinho, a like-for-like one too as the pair have similar capabilities and the Frenchman has shone in Ligue 1 for the past few seasons now. The fact that he is keeping all options open is promising from Liverpool’s perspective, whilst the prospect of him linking up alongside their current attacking trio is an exciting prospect too.
#1 Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
This is probably the most unlikely transfer that could happen on this list, but would also be the best. Toby Alderweireld is still yet to sign a new contract with Tottenham after they failed to agree improved terms and it appears as though they’re prepared to sell him in order to find a younger replacement.
A range of different top clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are showing interest in his services but Liverpool themselves should too. He might have a high price-tag of around £40m, but they have already shown their ability to pay over the odds when they really want a player - Virgil van Dijk’s £75m move in January a perfect example.
Getting an established centre-back partner for van Dijk is important this summer as Dejan Lovren, despite improvements, still has the occasional mistake in his game. At the top level, the Croatian’s mistakes prove costly and can often decide matches - Alderweireld’s experience would see him settle quickly and allow Liverpool to continue their progression while doing so.
Consistency is the key if Klopp’s side are able to mount a genuine title challenge. Given their good European form and potentially productive summer reinforcements, the Reds appear like a side who are ready to fight for the one trophy that has eluded them for so long.
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