Liverpool will be hoping to fine-tune their squad come the summer transfer window to become a potential winning machine under Arne Slot.
In the summer of 2024, Liverpool chose to be frugal and just sign Federico Chiesa — a bold decision that has surprisingly worked in their favour as they sit atop of both the Premier League table.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 25 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 60 | 24 | 36 | 60 |
Even if Arne Slot lifts the league title at the end of the season, failing to strengthen the squad in the summer could be a decision that could dent the Dutchman’s high-flying project.
Manchester City’s signings in the winter transfer window already seem to have improved them while Arsenal have challenged for the title for three seasons in a row and could provide Liverpool still competition in the following campaign as well.
Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds often rested their laurels in the transfer market — explaining why they failed to retain the league or their Champions League triumph.
But it seems like sporting director Richard Hughes has a plan in place to elevate his side already.
Liverpool set to sign big-name centre-back this summer
While assessing Liverpool’s squad, not many, if ant flaws stand out as such.
But Jamie Carragher claimed Liverpool need a new centre-back back in 2023 and preferably one who is left-footed and can play as a left-back as well, much like in the mold of Nathan Ake.
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that he now expects Liverpool to make a big-name centre-back signing in the summer, which would likely put a smile on Carragher’s face.
Romano said on his YouTube channel: “Let’s see what Liverpool decide to do because I expect them to sign an important centre-back in the summer transfer window. [Dean] Huijsen could be an attractive option, but again, at this point, still no negotiation, still no direct contact.”
Virgil van Dijk could extend his contract but so far, there have been no signs to indicate that he will definitively do so and in the event that the Liverpool captain leaves this summer, the need to address the centre-back position will perhaps become their biggest priority.
Ian Wright pinpointed Andy Robertson’s decline and perhaps one way to replace him could be to sign a brand-new central defender who could play in his position; much like how Manchester City have deployed Josko Gvardiol as their first-choice left-back signing signing him last summer.
How Darwin Nunez could fund Liverpool’s new defender signing
Knowing Liverpool are interested in signing a centre-back, clubs are likely to charge them a pretty penny.
With the Merseyside-based club famously not having spent much of their transfer budget last summer, selling clubs will feel assured about quoting them eye-watering figures for defenders that catch their eye.
But with Darwin Nunez expected to leave Liverpool this summer and the Saudi Pro League expected to pursue his signature, perhaps the Uruguayan’s potential sale could fund their dream centre-back signing.
In January, Nunez looked set to join Al-Nassr for a £70.5 million fee, a figure that will be more than sufficient to finance a move for a top-class centre-back as a Saudi Arabian club may try offering a similar amount to secure his services.
With the former Benfica forward having failed to win Arne Slot’s heart this campaign, perhaps he could leave his current employers with a much-needed parting gift.
For now, Slot will be hoping that his current batch of centre-backs stay fit as they have an important run of fixtures coming up.
