At the knock-on start of the 2025/26 campaign, the crux of Liverpool’s problems was found in defence. Ibrahima Konate was full of mistakes, Virgil van Dijk was struggling to organize his backline, and Arne Slot’s system was in disarray.
As the season progresses, it becomes clear that the forward players must be equally responsible. Mohamed Salah is calling time on his fine Anfield career, after all, while Hugo Ekitike has been stubborn in front of goal, although he has been most impressive in the final third.
But it may actually be the cause of Liverpool’s downfall. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have both dropped significantly from last year’s levels, and it’s clear that FSG need to make a change this summer.
Liverpool are ready to strengthen the field
Gravenberch signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool this month, but Mac Allister is approaching the final year of his Anfield deal, and whether extending the 27-year-old’s terms would be a sensible move has been questioned after his poor performances this season.
The Argentine emerged as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League after joining Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, but he has been a shadow of that solid player this year, where Liverpool’s decline began.
|
Alexis Mac Allister in Slot Prem |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (* per game) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
The same (begins) |
35 (30) |
30 (26) |
|
Goals |
5 |
2 |
|
It helps |
5 |
2 |
|
Contact* |
55.8 |
50.9 |
|
Accurate passes* |
35.5 (87%) |
33.6 (86%) |
|
Key passes* |
1.3 |
0.8 |
|
Dribbles* |
0.5 |
0.3 |
|
Football recovery* |
4.2 |
2.9 |
|
Facing + meeting* |
3.3 |
2.0 |
|
Delete* |
0.8 |
1.0 |
|
Duels (won)* |
4.9 (48%) |
3.1 (45%) |
With rumors swirling in recent months that Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested, it would be good to invest in Mac Allister, who has played his part but may lose something important to thrive in Liverpool’s centre.
According to reports in Italy, FSG have already put a plan in place, targeting Juventus’ Khephren Thuram, a midfielder who has caught Jurgen Klopp’s eye ahead of his stadium’s 2023 rebuild.
The Serie A giants are not looking to sell, but they may not be able to withstand the financial might of the Premier League. Therefore, the France international is transfer-listed for €60m (equivalent to £52m).
Manchester United and Newcastle United are also interested.
Why Liverpool returned to Thuram
Liverpool’s pundits have finished profiling Thuram, 25, who has become a mainstay in the Juventus midfield, averaging two strikes per game in Serie A this season, completing 61% of his tackles and covering plenty of space in the middle of the park.
Liverpool reporter Sam McGuire said Thuram could be “monster“Under Klopp’s wing, and now, a more polished player, he might get a shot under Slot’s wing, reviving the Dutchman’s field.
His genius on the ball offers shades of Gini Wijnaldum, who used to organize and direct in the heart of Liverpool’s midfield. His partnership with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho was one for the ages, and he won the most trophies for the Red.
Thuram is not the most accurate passer, but then he shares with the former Liverpool Dutch midfielder an intelligence on the ball; in addition, he has a brutal progression, both as a carrier and as a forward.
Gini was shocking and smart on the ball but didn’t have the kind of incisive distribution that someone like Mac Allister had.
But Liverpool need someone who can direct the flow of play while defending well and bring a fiery and strong energy to the team, and in Thuram, they could sign a hybrid type, someone who can project the presence of Mac Allister while playing with more conviction and energy than we have seen this season.
Thuram can be that player, indeed, especially when playing alongside the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, who has blossomed into one of the best players in the world this season, a talisman guiding his flagging teammates forward.
After all, he is being courted by a number of Premier League outfits, and his lucky midfield style has led commentator Ben Mattinson to say that his “skill on the ball is Pogba-esque”.
Pundit Alan Shearer once said that Wijnaldum “runs through Liverpool’s midfield”, and now, Thuram could do the same for the resurgent Anfield outfit next season.
Liverpool may appoint a 4-2-3-1 manager who has been in the position to replace Klopp
Arne Slot faces judgment day at the end of the season as his tenure at Liverpool is seriously threatened.
