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Liverpool returns to Premier League action this weekend with a trip to Manchester City, and it comes after back-to-back wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
Arne Slot has needed some time to find the right balance at Anfield following a big summer of Liverpool transfers. But that hasn't stopped even more new players being tipped to arrive in 2026, when defensive reinforcements might be required for a couple of different reasons.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with a new name being put forward as a potential center-back option.
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP)
Crystal Palace considered $63 million (£48 million)-rated Ousmane Diomande last summer but he ended up staying with Sporting CP. In 2026, he is said to be under consideration by Liverpool.
While the Reds are in for other center-backs, including Marc Guehi, Diomande has been on their radar before. He is very highly rated, and DaveOCKOP says he is on the agenda again. Last month, the Daily Express suggested similar.
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Diomande is a left-footed center-back and he doesn't turn 22 until December. Liverpool already has Giovanni Leoni as a long-term option but still needs Ibrahima Konate to pen new terms.
Virgil van Dijk is getting older and a long-term replacement will need to be sourced. Joe Gomez is third-choice at the moment but could have left in each of the previous two summers.
Liverpool.com says: Diomande is a big talent but a move somewhere else might work best for him, rather than making the jump straight to Anfield. Right now, he wouldn't be guaranteed minutes.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Liverpool could sign Marc Guehi next year with his contract set to expire in 2026, but the Reds have also been tipped to sign another Crystal Palace star in the not-too-distant future too.
"When you're doing so well, there's always going to be clubs floating around, trying to buy your big stars," the former Wales international Joe Ledley, who played for the Selhurst Park side for three years, told Gambling.com.
"You can't really compete with that but Adam Wharton is a fantastic player and central midfielder. I've watched him a few times and he’s a really creative player, always on the front foot, always looking forward, finding those passes. Still young, too.
"He’s represented England as well, so I'm sure there'll be a lot of clubs interested in him — whether it happens [soon] or in a year or two. You want to keep your best players at Crystal Palace and he's definitely one of them.
"Time will tell. I think he's had a fantastic start to the season and the end of last season, so hopefully Palace will hand out a few new contracts soon. Liverpool would be a good move for him, in that midfield area with Alexis Mac Allister.
"Also, Arsenal. Those sort of teams, the ones that get on the ball and are possession-based, he would suit. So it wouldn't surprise me if those two were interested in January or at the end of the season."
Liverpool.com says: Wharton is a sensational midfield player but there is a question mark hanging over his injury history. If he can stay fit, he is going to be one of the biggest talents to come out of an English team in this generation.
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