This summer, Liverpool’s suits will attack the transfer market with the same intensity as Arne Slot’s first-team squad has over the past year.
The Dutch tactician needs rewarding; he’s won the Premier League in his first season at the helm, after all. While the Reds are a brilliant, balanced and dangerous squad, they are also flawed, with fault lines traced across left-back, central defence and centre-forward berths.
Oh, and Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced he will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season. The full-back is widely expected to sign for Real Madrid.
Anfield has enjoyed a historic season, the fans all recipients of the glory. Few foresaw this when Jurgen Klopp intimated his decision to take off his long-held manager’s badge at the end of the 2023/24 term. The year before, Liverpool’s juice had run out, an exodus authorised.
But Klopp rebuilt his legacy and has simply passed on the baton to a man who has put his own stamp on the players and willed them into a new, albeit similar, design.
Now’s the time to attack the market, and we all know a flashy new centre-forward would be the uplifting move for FSG to make.
Liverpool want a new centre-forward
It’s not like Liverpool fans need their spirits raised all that much, what with it being little over a week since the Premier League crown was clinched after Tottenham Hotspur were thrashed 5-1.
But Alexander-Arnold’s decision stings, no doubt, and the disappointing finishes to cup competitions leave plenty to be desired on such fronts. A free-scoring striker is needed.
Is Alexander Isak the man for the job?
Newcastle United’s star man is outscored only by, you guessed it, Mohamed Salah in the Premier League this season, but his club will play hardball as suitors come knocking, demanding a fee in excess of £150m for the Swedish goalscorer.
Instead, Liverpool may turn to RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who would be a more affordable option, with suitors willing to pay €70m (about £60m). He still carries the suggestion of blooming into something truly world-class down the line.
Sesko, 21, has scored 39 goals since arriving in Germany at the start of last season, laying on eight assists too. There would be an element of risk about the acquisition, Darwin Nunez’s disappointing stint is pressed firmly in fans’ minds, but Sesko could be the man Slot is looking for to complete his frontline for many years to come.
He’s not the only Leipzig star on Liverpool’s list, however.
Liverpool prepare bid for Leipzig star
Liverpool need to raise the bar in the final third, ensuring they stay ahead of the pack next year. Bolstering across different positions is paramount toward achieving this.
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That’s why, as per Empire of the Kop, Liverpool are interested in signing Xavi Simons, Leipzig’s creator-in-chief and bearing an ever-growing direct threat in front of goal.
The report suggests that FSG are preparing an official bid for the 21-year-old, worth approximately €60m (£51m).
Several days earlier, The Daily Mail revealed that Liverpool had placed scouts in Germany, watching Simons and Sesko as Leipzig delayed Bayern Munich’s title parade after a gripping 3-3 draw in the Bundesliga.
Imagine Xavi Simons & Sesko
Slot is all about fluency and tenacity and coherence. Master the basics and then amplify your understanding to the nth degree, he’ll say at tactical meetings, weaving peak fitness and subtle depth through the canvas of his game plan.
Simons and Sesko are two players who would only keep this unity intact, maybe even strengthening the cords that hold the Anfield squad together. Sesko’s stunning goal against the newly-crowned German champions, indeed, highlights this perfectly.
The infamous toe poke. Lashing at the ball with the outside of his boot, Sesko scored a stunning trivela against Bayern, played into space by Simons’ high-level passing.
The young Dutchman has been more of a direct force this season, ten of his 18 direct involvements coming by way of goal, but there’s no disputing his vision and eye for a shrewd pass, ranking among the top 13% for passes attempted, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 20% for shot-creating actions and the top 7% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.
With Trent rehousing in Spain, signing a number ten of Simons’ ability could be the perfect way for Slot to reorient Liverpool’s creative centre, in turn strengthening Sesko’s chances of succeeding if he makes the move too.
Of course, Leipzig won’t want to sell both of their attacking stars, but they have a good relationship with Liverpool after the transfers of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate in recent years, Fabio Carvalho also moving to Germany on loan last year.
Moreover, there is confidence that Leipzig will accept that Simons wants to take the next step in his journey, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, currently sixth in the Bundesliga, two points off top four.
Matches (starts)
23 (23)
Goals
9
Assists
7
Pass completion
83%
Big chances created
12
Key passes*
2.1
Dribbles*
1.3
Ball recoveries*
5.1
Tackles + interceptions*
1.6
Duels won*
5.4
Described as a “superstar” in the making by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Netherlands star simply has to be a priority for the Reds this season, with his high-ranked ball recoveries illustrating an energy and athletic approach that could see him play Szoboszlai’s role while adding a greater depth of creativity too.
By doing this, Liverpool will go from strength to strength, especially if they have Sesko in their mix. The Slovenian has enjoyed the fruits of Simons’ labour over the past two years, and it’s easy to see why: already ranking among the top 12% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, he’s the perfect focal point for a midfielder to thread balls in front of.
Liverpool have got to get this double deal done, patching over the small holes in Slot’s squad ahead of a campaign that promises much success.
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