Adrian Clarke looks at what Liverpool need to do in the summer transfer window to improve their squad.
Liverpool
One of Arne Slot’s main priorities will be to bring in sturdy defensive reinforcements.
Liverpool conceded 41 goals last season, seven more than Manchester City and 12 more than Arsenal. Their Expected Goals Against (xGA) total of 46.17 also suggested they were fortunate not to concede even more goals than they did.
The new Reds boss will certainly look at recruiting a new defensive midfielder. Wataru Endo performed well enough in the role, but for much of 2023/24 Alexis Mac Allister was used in that position, which felt like a waste of his excellent attacking credentials.
As a team they need to protect their back four and goalkeeper better, so the arrival of a top-class defensive pivot seems vital.
When you compare how well Man City and Arsenal protected their last line of defence to Liverpool, it highlights where they need to improve. Alisson needs to be far less busy moving forwards!
| Club | Saves | Shots faced |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 55 | 323 |
| Man City | 77 | 294 |
| Liverpool | 111 | 414 |
Joel Matip’s exit should also pave the way for a new central defender to arrive on Merseyside in the coming weeks.
If those two positions are filled properly, Liverpool will have a more solid feel, and they need to after producing only 10 clean sheets in 2023/24. Across the previous four campaigns, they averaged 15.5 per season.
Slot may also look at the top end of the pitch and ask his forward line to be more lethal.
The Reds missed 79 big chances last season, more than any other side, with Darwin Nunez (27 big chances missed), Mohamed Salah (17) and Luis Diaz (13) all guilty of wastefulness on occasion.
In fact, Liverpool’s overall shot conversation rate (excluding blocks) of 15.14 per cent ranked a lowly 13th in the division. To be title contenders again, they will need to sharpen up significantly in front of goal.
Do not be surprised if Slot moves for a new No 9.
Key positions to target: Centre-back, defensive midfielder, centre-forward
Ins and outs so far
| Player | Transfer Type | Club | Full Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joel Matip |  Released |
- | Details |
| Thiago Alcantara | Released |
- | Details |
| Calvin Ramsay |  Loan Out |
Wigan Athletic | Details |
(Last updated: 7 June)
