Liverpool’s four new starters for next season as transfer spree planned | Football | Sport

Liverpool are expected to face a summer of upheaval following a deeply underwhelming campaign. While discussion has focused on the future of Arne Slot, and which players the club can recruit to address obvious weaknesses in the squad, the Reds do have several ready-made talents poised to make the leap for the 2026/2027 season.

After tamely relinquishing the Premier League crown to Arsenal, while struggling defensively, in midfield and going forward this term, summer reconstruction is necessary and owners FSG are ready to splash the cash again. Players including RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been linked with Liverpool, undoubtedly generating considerable excitement amongst supporters.

Here, Express Sport takes a look at four Liverpool players who can make the step up next season to become established starters under Slot.

Expectations were sky-high when Liverpool paid £125million, a British transfer record, to secure Isak from Newcastle last summer.

It hasn’t been a stellar campaign for the Swedish forward: an absence of pre-season followed by a devastating leg fracture against Spurs in December rather derailed the 26-year-old’s debut season on Merseyside.

Isak registered three goals for Liverpool this term and his statistics do not make for pleasant reading either. Yet Slot will not overlook the fact he has a formidable striker in his arsenal.

Isak netted 62 goals for Newcastle across just three campaigns, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous marksmen. A successful World Cup with Sweden could also give the striker the sharpness and self-belief he seeks, leaving him primed to spearhead Liverpool’s attack next term.

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The breakout sensation of Liverpool’s campaign, the 17-year-old exploded onto the stage with a dramatic last-gasp winner against Newcastle in August. Since then, Ngumoha has impressed whenever given the opportunity.

Terrorising full-backs at ease, the left-winger has netted three times and registered one assist, prompting numerous supporters to demand his regular inclusion. Such has been Ngumoha’s influence that significant portions of Anfield jeered Slot when he withdrew the teenager during the recent Chelsea fixture.

One suspects those supporters won’t be compelled to voice their discontent next campaign, with Ngumoha a prime candidate to step off the substitutes’ bench and claim Liverpool’s left flank as his own.

The Reds secured an agreement with Rennes in January for Jacquet, valued at up to £60m. Such an expenditure can only indicate that the Reds regard the French centre-half as a long-term prospect, hoping he can develop under Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Why did Liverpool invest so heavily in the 20-year-old Frenchman? Prior to a shoulder injury in February, which ended his Ligue 1 season, Jacquet was excelling. He has been touted as one of the finest centre-back prospects in world football, and Liverpool supporters will be eagerly hoping he gets the opportunity to demonstrate it next season.

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Italian talent Leoni joined from Parma last summer for £30m. He made an enormous impression in the 78 minutes he spent on the pitch against Southampton in a Carabao Cup clash in September.

Sadly, the composed youngster was stretchered off following a collision and was subsequently confirmed to have sustained an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, sidelining him for approximately a year.

While it was admittedly a limited sample, the 19-year-old centre-half produced a remarkable debut. In just under 80 minutes, Leoni won 80 per cent of duels, made six clearances and three interceptions. His passing accuracy rate was an impressive 96.7 per cent.

There is little question that Liverpool require composure and authority in their defensive line. Once Leoni recovers full fitness, the Reds could find themselves with a defensive powerhouse on their hands, more than capable of stepping straight into their starting XI.