Liverpool were back in the Premier League title conversation last season, but, ultimately, they didn’t have the overall squad quality to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City, falling out of the title race in the final few matches.
There is a new decision-making structure at Anfield with Michael Edwards returning as CEO and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot replacing the legendary Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool will need to make a couple of marquee signings to keep up with the loaded Manchester City and Arsenal rosters, which only figure to get richer in the summer 2024 market.
Here are the five biggest dream transfer targets for Liverpool this summer.
Lille CB Leny Yoro
Lille star Leny Yoro is the most coveted center back on the transfer market this summer, because he is an 18-year-old defender who was the best player at his position in Ligue 1 last season.
Liverpool won’t get their hopes fully up for Yoro and will need to consult the other top center back options on the market, because Yoro and Real Madrid have a lot of mutual interest in each other.
As Liverpool saw with the French trio of Kylian Mbappe, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, when a player really wants Real Madrid and they really want the player, the Merengue club tends to win out.
But Yoro is, as Juni Calafat believes, a generational talent at the center back position and someone well worth Liverpool targeting as an option.
If Lille drive a hard bargain financially and Real Madrid aren’t willing to pay up, then that could increase Liverpool’s chances at landing the potential heir to Virgil van Dijk.
Napoli LW Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Liverpool already have one of the top left wingers in the world in Colombian star Luis Diaz, who made a name for himself at the last Copa America.
However, Diaz is the subject of transfer rumors with Barcelona and PSG involved, so Liverpool could try to cash in on the 27-year-old before he exits his prime.
If Liverpool sell Diaz, then they could only justify such a transfer by signing a left winger who is both younger and better, and Napoli superstar Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the few players who fits the bill.
Kvaratskhelia had a bit of a down year in 2023/24, as Napoli suffered without Luciano Spalletti at the helm. Even so, Kvara wasn’t bad overall and was the only Napoli attacker who truly stood out.
The Georgian star had 11 goals and 6 assists in Serie A while averaging 3.0 dribbles completed and 2.4 fouls drawn per game, maintaining his status as one of the best dribbling threats on the planet.
Of course, the year before, Kvaratskhelia was even better, inspiring Napoli to the Scudetto in just his first season in a top-five league, scoring 12 goals with 10 assists.
Only 23 years of age, Kvaratskhelia could produce downright scary numbers across from Mohamed Salah and combine to form a legitimate all-time great winger pairing in the Premier League.
Newcastle LW Anthony Gordon
If Liverpool aren’t willing to spend well over 100 million euros on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or someone else beats them to the punch – or, most likely, the player doesn’t want to leave Napoli – then the Reds could push for another ambitious transfer target within the Premier League.
Anthony Gordon has long been one of the most promising young forwards in English football, and he truly broke out in the 2023/24 season for Newcastle as one of the bright spots on a team that was, as a whole, disappointing.
Newcastle didn’t qualify for the 2024/25 Champions League, but Gordon can come out of the campaign with his head held high after being the best player at his position in the entire Premier League.
Gordon had 11 goals an 10 assists, averaging 3.4 combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn as a creative and scoring threat for the Magpies.
Virtually ever Premier League title contender wants to bring in Gordon, but Liverpool could have an advantage if they make space for him by selling Diaz.
Real Sociedad CM Mikel Merino
Thiago Alcantara is exiting Anfield after being unable to play to his elite level due to injury, but when he was healthy, he showed why he will be remembered forever by fans who saw him during the 2010s and 2020s.
Liverpool need to keep bolstering the base of their midfield. They have some great players in 2023 signings Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo. Young guns Stefan Bajcetic and Curtis Jones are also highly talented.
But Liverpool are missing an ingredient. They need a tempo-setter with standout passing quality and defensive attributes, someone who can solidify the entire formation and provide an attacking basis for the others.
Mikel Merino may be known as a flop in some Premier League circles, but wiser fans understand that he has been a legitimately world-class midfielder in LaLiga for years while running one of the most exciting shows on grass in San Sebastian.
Last season, Merino scored five goals with three assists, averaging 2.4 tackles and 2.1 fouls drawn per game. The Real Sociedad star is an achievable and affordable transfer target for Liverpool in 2024.
Girona DM Aleix Garcia
If Liverpool want to go with a more exciting, playmaking option in LaLiga, then they could go with Girona star Aleix Garcia, who helped Michel’s men compete for the league title at one point.
Garcia has been a smash hit since arriving in LaLiga in the 2022/23 season, firmly establishing himself as a world-class defensive midfielder and one of the best midfield maestros in Spanish football.
The 26-year-old operates at the highest level technically, has great leadership traits, controls matches with his passing, and is one of the best defensive presences in LaLiga.
Basically, he is what Liverpool are looking for in midfield and could be affordable at just around 20 million euros.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.
