Liverpool's potential starting XI next season includes Mohamed Salah replacement

Liverpool faces a crucial summer rebuild with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson departing after nine years, as Arne Slot looks to strengthen key positions following a disappointing Premier League title defense

Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will both leave Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)

Significant changes are afoot at Liverpool this summer, with two long-serving players confirming their exits and others considering their futures following a difficult season.

Andy Robertson has followed Mohamed Salah in announcing his departure after nine years, placing even greater importance on the summer transfer window. The Reds invested around $600 million last summer on Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak, yet find themselves desperately requiring fresh additions once more after a disappointing defense of their Premier League crown.

With Salah and Robertson departing, the core of the successful Jurgen Klopp era has almost entirely vanished, leaving only Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, though doubts persist regarding their capacity to maintain elite-level performances consistently.

Following several transfer market errors, owners Fenway Sports Group and Richard Hughes face enormous pressure to deliver during the off-season and restore the team's fortunes. But what approach will they take? Here, Liverpool.com examines the squad, evaluates who might join Salah and Robertson in bidding farewell and identifies potential targets to fill crucial positions.

Defense

Liverpool's defensive line has been noticeably weaker this season and alterations are on the horizon. Alisson has been hampered by injuries this campaign, but the Reds already brought in cover last summer with Giorgi Mamardashvili, who has failed to impress. The pair are expected to remain for next season.

Fresh faces will certainly arrive in central defense, with Giovanni Leoni returning from an ACL injury and Jeremy Jacquet joining from Rennes. They may end up replacing Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, whose futures remain unclear.

Jeremy Jacquet agreed to join Liverpool during the January transfer window(Image: Getty Images)

Konate's deal runs out in June and his inconsistent performances could see him following Robertson and Salah through the exit as a free agent. Gomez, 28, has a further year remaining on his contract, but has been linked with a departure, given his role as a reserve option.

This means another center-back could be targeted this summer. Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi have been mentioned in reports as established Premier League choices, while Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck and Eintracht Frankfurt's Nnamdi Collins are also being monitored.

Frimpong and Kerkez were brought in last summer, effectively to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, so minimal change is anticipated in those areas, with Conor Bradley and, potentially, Kostas Tsimikas offering cover.

Midfield

On paper, Liverpool boasts an abundance of quality in central midfield, yet there has been a noticeable decline this season. While Dominik Szoboszlai has been the standout performer in 2025-26, the performances of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have faltered, suggesting a new addition in the center of midfield may be necessary.

Eduardo Camavinga has found himself slipping down the pecking order at Real Madrid and, at just 23 years of age, represents an intriguing proposition. According to L'Equipe, Madrid is now open to offers for the midfielder, who could restore the intensity so sorely missed.

Attack

The Reds broke the bank last summer, yet find themselves needing further additions a year on following Salah's announcement of his departure. "You cannot find a Mo replacement," Slot remarked recently, before adding that the ideal solution would be to have Wirtz, Ekitike and Isak all fit simultaneously.

While that is a fair point given Isak's injury troubles this season, Rio Ngumoha alone is hardly a like-for-like substitute for Salah. A new signing is essential. Bayern Munich's Michael Olise has been mooted by pundits, yet it seems highly unlikely that the London-born star could be tempted to swap his star-studded and in-form side for the current Liverpool setup.

RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande has been turning heads, though at just 19 years old, he may demand considerable patience. Another compelling prospect is Brighton's Yankuba Minteh, who has impressed in patches this season following a switch from Newcastle and is reportedly on Liverpool's radar. Slot worked alongside the winger during his time in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, which could give the 21-year-old a distinct advantage in any potential move.

Liverpool's potential starting XI next season: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Camavinga; Minteh, Ekitike, Wirtz