5 players Liverpool should sign in unpredictable summer as Arne Slot's future unclear

Liverpool had an extremely busy summer in 2025 and this year looks like it will have to be no different with Mohamed Salah leaving the club, along with Ibrahima Konate's contract being up with Arne Slot's future unclear

Anthony Gordon has previously been a target for the club(Image: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Predicting Liverpool's next few months feels like an extremely tough ask.

Questions continue to swirl on whether Arne Slot will still be at the club, with reports emerging that Xabi Alonso is ready to accept the job this offseason if he is approached by the Reds. Liverpool were believed to be in for Alonso after Jurgen Klopp left the team, with their former midfielder choosing to stay another year with Bayer Leverkusen before joining Real Madrid this past year in a nightmare stint.

And this week, Mohamed Salah announced he will be leaving the club as the team's one of the all-time greats will look to find a new team this summer. The Reds must first sort their solution at head coach, and then make several moves to their roster if they are to get back amongst the top in the Premier League.

Below, Liverpool.com has looked into five options who the club must consider signing this summer - including replacements for a few of their legendary players.

Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)

Liverpool has been linked with a move for Nico Schlotterbeck

A significantly cheaper option than Tottenham's Micky Van de Ven, and one who is arguably a better fit for Liverpool's needs at the position.

Van Dijk brings much more than just dominant defending and aerial play for Liverpool, with his offensive output being very underrated. The Dutchman ranks amongst the league's best in progressive passes, which has allowed the Reds to string attacks over the years. Schlotterbeck ranks favorably to even Van Dijk in this category.

He's as quick as Van Dijk, but is not on his level when it comes to defending - while still being a very capable centre-back. Schlotterbeck is an ideal long-term replacement for Van Dijk. He'd also be a leader should he leave, while emerging as the older figure above potential starters at the position in Jeremy Jacquet and Giovani Leoni.

Joao Gomes (Wolves)

This season has taught Liverpool a lot, but one of the biggest takeaways should be that they need a defensive midfielder. And while Joao Gomes might be more of a box-to-box player than a true holding play, he looks to be the perfect option for the Reds.

So far this season, Gomes has dominated every area of the pitch with his defensive prowess and being able to spring attacks being impressive.

Gomes is not scheme-dependant, he can play in multiple positions in the middle of the field, and could be cheap to acquire with Wolves set to be relegated. He has also previously admitted to being a Liverpool fan.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)

Liverpool might lose more central midfielders than fans may expect this season, with questions surrounding the futures of both Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones - both having tough seasons. Whatever the case, Liverpool needs to get younger at the position and Wharton is an exciting English option for them to consider.

Wharton is certainly capable of playing as a true defensive midfielder, while having a lot of untapped potential as an attacking threat - showing a range of passing abilities when he does advance to the final third.

He might cost Liverpool a considerable amount, but he's likely to be cheaper than Elliott Anderson - who also looks set to leave his club this offseason. Anderson is also a player who Liverpool should consider if they can afford to do so.

Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig) & Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

Liverpool are not going to find a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah. Right wingers with that kind of offensive output are just never going to be readily available - unless they can somehow sign Michael Olise (but don't count on it).

But while they cannot find an answer for Salah leaving in one player, they could in two - providing them something they have massively lacked all season long... speed.

Diomande has been seen as a direct replacement for Salah(Image: Getty Images)

Diomande has been compared to Salah, operating primarily from the right-wing with devastating pace and impressive production in the final third. But at just 19 years of age, he has much work to do to blossom into an elite player.

Gordon will perhaps never be a world class player himself, but he's an English talent who would fit in perfectly on the left-wing - providing them something different to Cody Gakpo. Liverpool have been known to have interest in Gordon, who is a fan of the club.

Some fans may question Gordon's signing getting in the way of Rio Ngumoha's playing time, and while the teenager has impressed this season - he's still too young to rely on consistently. They need an answer at left-wing, with Gakpo potentially being one to exit this summer.