Liverpool mailbag: Alonso in? Diomande deal? Hughes and Edwards’ futures?
This has been a season to forget for Liverpool.
Off-field turmoil has been matched by an on-field slump which quickly snuffed out any hope of defending the club’s Premier League title, while there were also early exits in the cup competitions.
Another frantic summer awaits, with a major squad overhaul looming and uncertainty over the futures of key executives. Last week, readers submitted questions to our Liverpool correspondent James Pearce: he delivers his answers.
I’m not firmly in the ‘Arne Slot out’ camp, but Xabi Alonso feels like the perfect fit for Liverpool in terms of identity, culture and timing. What are your thoughts on Alonso and do you think it compares to the choice Liverpool had when Jurgen Klopp was available in 2015? (Morten H)
It’s more complicated. Back then, when it became clear that Klopp was willing to cut short his sabbatical, replacing Brendan Rodgers was a no-brainer. Klopp was coveted by top clubs and securing him was a massive coup.
Alonso has a close bond with Liverpool and supporters would rally behind him. He did brilliantly at Bayer Leverkusen but his turbulent reign at Real Madrid only lasted seven months. He doesn’t have the same body of work that Klopp had 11 years ago.
Currently, everything points to owner Fenway Sports Group sticking with Slot. If that position changes then Alonso would be a strong contender but contacts I’ve spoken to say there’s a misconception that the Spaniard was Liverpool’s first choice after Klopp stepped down two years ago.
They insist that Alonso wasn’t seriously considered because he had already made it clear he would be staying at Leverkusen for another season. Slot consistently came out on top in the different metrics Liverpool used in their data-led search for Klopp’s successor.
One of the things that counted against Ruben Amorim, who was at Sporting CP at the time, was how wedded he was to playing three at the back — a system that Alonso also favours. However, you could argue that the squad is now better suited to that formation.
We keep hearing that Slot has the backing of FSG due to the mitigating circumstances this season. I understand that but are they not taking into account the dreadful football? How can Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have faith that Slot can turn this around? (Darren H)
I don’t know anyone associated with Liverpool who thinks this season has been acceptable. The hierarchy see the same glaring issues as the rest of us.
There’s been a general lack of intensity. Defensively, far too vulnerable. Outfought too often in midfield. Going forward, Liverpool have either struggled to create or been wasteful. Far too many performances have been blighted by slow, predictable build-up play.
How much of that is down to Slot and how much is down to factors beyond his control?
It’s impossible to quantify the impact of Diogo Jota’s death but Liverpool were the only Premier League club to have grief counsellors on site throughout pre-season.
So many new signings needing time to adjust, established stars losing their way, and a series of crushing injuries are also factored into how this campaign is viewed internally. A depleted squad has led to some players suffering from being overplayed.
In terms of why Edwards and Hughes still have faith in Slot, it’s only just over 12 months since he surpassed expectations by winning the Premier League. Before that, the manner in which he had transformed Feyenoord’s fortunes massively impressed them. Slot has made mistakes this season but the stance until now has been that he deserves the opportunity to put things right.
Which outgoing transfer from last summer has hurt Liverpool the most? (Andrew W)
The obvious answer is Luis Diaz. The Colombian has been more prolific at Bayern Munich (26 goals in all competitions) than he ever was for Liverpool. Losing Diaz has been compounded by Cody Gakpo’s struggles on the left. There’s been a real lack of pace in wide areas.
However, I’d say Liverpool have missed Trent Alexander-Arnold even more than Diaz. He was such a creative force with his passing and that right-hand side was so settled and strong with Mohamed Salah and Alexander-Arnold in tandem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a major miss (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
It’s fallen apart this season with Salah’s output dwindling and right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong suffering injuries. Playing Dominik Szoboszlai there so often only served to weaken the midfield.
Why haven’t the club resolved the No 6 problem? Gravenberch was superb last season, but a combination of being overplayed and not being a natural No 6 has left the back four unprotected far too often. (Tom B)
It’s not like Liverpool haven’t been in the market for a specialist No 6 in recent years. They pursued Aurelien Tchouameni, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Martin Zubimendi but couldn’t get any over the line.
They didn’t sign an alternative to Zubimendi in 2024 because they felt there wasn’t a suitable alternative on the market. At the time they were offered the chance to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain but didn’t fancy him.
Slot felt the best option in the circumstances was to play Gravenberch in the holding role last season and it proved a masterstroke. I agree that he’s found life a lot tougher there this season.
Having to play so many minutes is part of the problem because even when Wataru Endo has been fit, Slot hasn’t trusted him to start. I also think opponents have grown wiser in terms of how to stifle Gravenberch and he hasn’t been helped by the drop in Alexis Mac Allister’s form alongside him.
A combative holding midfielder has to be on Liverpool’s summer shopping list.
Any updates on potential plans for Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns? (Daniel O)
The priority for Bajcetic and Danns is ensuring they are fit for pre-season training in July. Then it’s down to them to try to force their way into contention.
Having missed so much football due to injuries, I’d say the most likely outcome is that they are both loaned out in 2026-27, but nothing is set in stone.
It’s been two years since Bajcetic last featured for Liverpool. After spells on loan at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas last season, he needed hamstring surgery. He was due back for the second half of this season but suffered a setback in his recovery and is still doing rehab.
Danns had one brief senior appearance in the Carabao Cup tie with Southampton last September but his season has been wrecked by hamstring problems. He only featured four times for the under-21s in Premier 2. I love watching Danns play and given Liverpool’s dwindling options up front, he would have been a useful asset.
Can you do a write up on Caoimhin Kelleher’s flaws that made Liverpool believe he wasn’t a suitable replacement for Alisson? (Bnh H) Do Liverpool have a buyback clause? (Alan D)
Liverpool didn’t sell Kelleher last year because they thought he wasn’t good enough to be Alisson’s long-term successor; they sanctioned the move to Brentford because he was desperate to become a No 1.
Kelleher had been keen to explore his options in both 2023 and 2024 but on each occasion he was convinced to stay. When Liverpool agreed a deal with Valencia for Giorgi Mamardashvili, they knew that Kelleher would be leaving in 2025.
Last summer he only had one year left on his contract and was never going to sign an extension. At the age of 26, he didn’t want another season as Alisson’s deputy as he sought to boost his prospects with Republic of Ireland.
Liverpool either had to grant him his wish or accept losing him for nothing this year. I was surprised that bigger clubs didn’t come in for him and £18m felt like a bargain. There’s no buyback clause.
Do you think the players are still behind Slot? (Longtime F)
Yes. Forget social media nonsense, I’ve not seen or heard anything to make me think differently. Yes, alarm bells were ringing after those chastening away defeats by Manchester City and PSG. When you’ve got players questioning a lack of fight, it’s worrying.
But there was a decent response domestically with those three straight league wins over Fulham, Everton and Crystal Palace, which put them on the brink of securing Champions League qualification. Understandably there’s a lot of frustration over how this season has panned out but I think he still commands their respect.
That first-half display at Old Trafford last Sunday was grim but that was Liverpool without Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Salah, Alisson, Mamardashvili, Endo, Giovanni Leoni and Bradley.
Any truth to Liverpool looking to bring in Adam Wharton? (Haider A)
The Crystal Palace midfielder is certainly admired by recruitment staff. He’s Premier League proven and excellent in possession. Aged 22, he fits the profile but I wonder if Liverpool need someone who offers more physical presence.
Do you think the changes to Slot’s coaching staff have hurt Liverpool this year and, if so, what’s going to be done about it? (John T)
There’s no doubt that John Heitinga, who left to take over as head coach at Ajax last summer, was a popular figure. Gravenberch described him as his mentor.
That said, the feedback I’ve had on Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who replaced Heitinga, has also been positive so I don’t think his absence has been a significant factor in the side’s struggles.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst was brought in to assist Arne Slot (Peter Powell/AFP via Getty Images)
Since the sacking of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs in December, Liverpool’s improvement in attacking and defending set pieces has been considerable. Lewis Mahoney, the set-piece analyst, deserves credit for that.
If, as expected, Slot keeps his job then it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s another addition to his backroom staff this summer. He wanted to bring coach Etienne Reijnen with him from Feyenoord two years ago but he was denied a work permit. Reijnen, who is assistant manager at the Dutch club, is close to completing his coaching badges which would open the door to potentially moving to England.
What was Slot’s problem with Harvey Elliott and how do the board feel about his value depreciating after a year of basically no football? Any chance of bringing him back? (Ashley B)
I’ve got a lot of sympathy for Elliott, who has effectively seen a year go to waste.
Slot just felt he had better options last season. With Szoboszlai preferred as No 10 and Salah excelling on the right, most of Elliott’s game time came off the bench. He didn’t start a Premier League game under Slot until after the title had been won.
The signing of Florian Wirtz was always going to further limit his opportunities so a move made sense for everyone.
But it’s been a nightmare at Aston Villa. Liverpool only agreed to the initial loan (with a £35m permanent deal triggered after he played 10 league games) to help Villa meet profit and sustainability rules. At the time that was regarded as a formality.
But Unai Emery subsequently decided he didn’t want to keep Elliott so stopped selecting him to avoid that clause being activated. Villa wanted the clause lifted in January but Liverpool were never going to agree to that. There also would have been financial implications in terms of cutting short the loan mid-season.
As things stand, Elliott will be returning to Liverpool this summer, but a move elsewhere is the most likely option. RB Leipzig were keen before he went to Villa; it will be interesting to see if they come back in for him.
What do you understand to be the top transfer priorities this summer? (Jimothy J)
Pace out wide will be the priority. They need someone capable of running in behind defenders. RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande is one option. The Ivory Coast international has been extensively scouted but it’s gone no further than that so far. The 19-year-old winger wouldn’t come cheap, reportedly around £85m.
Yan Diomande has impressed at RB Leipzig, but would not come cheap (Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
The midfield needs strengthening and how much needs to be done in that area depends on whether Curtis Jones moves on. There’s also a question mark over Mac Allister’s future. Teenager Trey Nyoni, who has provided back-up all season, could really do with a loan.
With Salah leaving and Federico Chiesa set to follow, Liverpool have to recruit at least two attackers. They also have to factor in the absence of Ekitike well into next season. The best case scenario is around six months out.
There are issues to address in both full-back positions. Liverpool must decide whether to buy a left-back to act as Milos Kerkez’s understudy following Andy Robertson’s exit or turn to Kostas Tsimikas after his loan at Roma. I think they also need a right-back to compete with Bradley once he’s fit again.
When Inter pursued Jones in January, Denzel Dumfries was discussed as potentially moving the other way, but it didn’t progress. The Dutchman has a relatively low release clause of €25m but given he’s 30 it would require a deviation from the model of signing younger talent.
Currently, there’s no suggestion that Liverpool will go back in for Lutsharel Geertruida, who spent this season on loan at Sunderland from RB Leipzig. Liverpool targeted him during an injury crisis in January but it collapsed due to Sunderland being unable to recruit a replacement prior to the deadline.
With Jeremy Jacquet arriving from Rennes, Leoni coming back from injury, and Ibrahima Konate recently stating that he intends to sign an extension, Liverpool look well stocked at centre-back.
There’s been a lot of talk about going to a back three next season but that’s not a system Slot has favoured. After Salah announced he was leaving in March, I was told that part of the plan going forward would be 4-2-2-2 with Isak and Ekitike paired, with Wirtz and Szoboszlai operating behind them.
Ekitike’s ruptured Achilles means they either need someone else to fill that spot or a different system. Either way they have to buy pace.
Do we know what the position of the owners is regarding the protests against the ticket price increases? Are they open to changing their minds? (Taran C)
FSG have U-turned before but so far there’s no sign of them backing down on this one. They believe inflation-linked rises over the next three seasons is fair given rising matchday costs at Anfield and point to how other clubs have hiked prices to a much greater extent.
However, the scale of the protests during the game against Crystal Palace showed the strength of fan feeling and there is further action planned.
How about signing Jarrod Bowen if West Ham go down? (Alex R)
Bowen was considered by Liverpool when they were looking for attacking reinforcements back in 2021. I’d be surprised if they moved for him now. Even if West Ham United are relegated, they would expect a hefty fee given he has four years left on his contract. He’s also 29, so outside of the normal profile Liverpool target.
Should Liverpool look to cash in on Mac Allister this summer given his poor form? (Jason H)
It feels telling that Liverpool renewed Gravenberch’s contract and are in talks with Szoboszlai’s representative, while Mac Allister’s father Carlos recently said there were no discussions with the Argentina international over an extension.
Alexis Mac Allister has looked a shadow of his old self this season (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)
Missing most of pre-season really hampered Mac Allister: it feels like he’s been playing catch up ever since. Aged 27 and with two years left on his deal, Liverpool have a big decision. To sell him I’d want at least double the £35m Liverpool paid Brighton & Hove Albion for him.
Slot seems to keep bringing up our injuries as a major factor behind our lack of success this season. Is it valid? One of Slot’s strengths during his time at Feyenoord was his ability to keep a relatively small squad healthy. What’s gone wrong? (Arthur B)
Injuries have had a big impact. It’s a crazy stat that Isak, Ekitike and Wirtz have only played 118 minutes together all season.
Liverpool bought six outfield players last summer and between them they have suffered a broken leg, a torn ACL, and a ruptured Achilles — it’s freakish, and that’s before you throw similarly serious injuries to Bradley and Endo into the mix.
If there had been a succession of muscle problems, it would be fair to question the training regime but it’s only really been Frimpong and Alisson who have been sidelined for significant periods with those kind of issues.
How worried should Liverpool fans be about losing Michael Edwards and/or Richard Hughes? (John T)
There’s a lot of uncertainty currently with Edwards, Hughes and Slot all having one year remaining on their contracts. We broke the news in March that FSG had shelved plans to buy a second club.
That’s been a source of frustration for Edwards, especially given that FSG’s commitment to buying a second club was key to him agreeing to come back two years ago.
We’ve also reported that Hughes is being pursued by Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal. Reports in Saudi have suggested it’s a done deal but I’ve been told that Liverpool haven’t had any kind of approach. They fully expect Hughes to continue as their sporting director this summer and oversee transfer business. What happens after that is unclear.
What do you think the plan is for vice-captain next season? (Dylan H)
Alisson is the obvious candidate if he stays for the final year of his contract. However, if he leaves for Juventus, then Szoboszlai would make sense.
You have one choice as a (realistic) signing this summer. Who are you in for? (Daniel C)
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
Who is the next youngster coming through the youth set-up that could break through to the first team squad? (Ajay J)
I really like Josh Sonni-Lambie. The teenage forward is blessed with pace and is a great finisher. Josh Abe is another to watch out for (if he stays this summer in the face of interest from other top clubs). There are also high hopes for midfielder Luca Eden who’s only 15 but has already played and scored for the under-18s.
