The season has just come to a close but it is not over for Liverpool despite finishing fourth. The Reds are gearing up for their Champions League final showdown against holders Real Madrid at the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s team have done extremely well this season, especially in Europe. One of the highlights of the season is the way they defeated Manchester City over both legs in the Champions League.
While the Reds finished fourth in the league, Klopp surely won’t be happy with the way his team picked up the tempo towards the business end of the campaign. But now with the league season done and dusted, Klopp would hope his boys defeat Real Madrid to win the coveted Champions League trophy.
Following the Champions League final, the planning for next season should ideally start but the Reds have been linked with a number of players so far.
With these being early days in the transfer window and Liverpool’s entire focus on the Champions League, let us have a look at the players the Merseysiders have been linked with so far.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan)
If reports are to go by, Liverpool are tracking AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma as Klopp has prioritised bringing in a new No.1.
Loris Karius has done admirably well since becoming Liverpool’s No.1, while there are chances of Simon Mignolet leaving the club after losing his spot.
Despite Karius performing well, the Reds need a goalkeeper who is capable of winning matches on his own. Donnarumma, who is considered as one of the best young shot-stoppers, could solve Liverpool’s goalkeeping conundrum next season.
Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United)
Liverpool need more defensive reinforcements despite bringing Virgil van Dijk in January. While the Dutchman has settled in at Anfield, the likes of Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan have underperformed.
It appears the Reds are interested in signing Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles. He enjoyed a brilliant season with the Magpies, guiding the club to a 10th-place finish this campaign.
A no-nonsense defender with good positional sense, Lascelles would certainly improve Liverpool’s defence if they happen to sign him in summer.
James Tarkowski (Burnley)
Burnley enjoyed a magical season as they finished 6th in the league and ensured themselves a place in the Europa League. One of Burnley’s star performers was their defensive rock, James Tarkowski.
Tarkowski’s stock rose high this season following his impressive displays at the back alongside Ben Mee and Kevin Long. His strong displays have attracted a lot of Premier League interest, including Liverpool’s, who are searching for an ideal defender to partner Van Dijk next season.
With Europa League to play and a chance to improve further under Sean Dyche, Tarkowski should have no hesitation in staying at Turf Moor, at least for the time being.
Nabil Fekir (Lyon)
After Philippe Coutinho left for Barcelona in January, Klopp decided to trust his current squad and not immediately spend to bring a replacement for the departed Brazilian.
Well, the German could now spend heavily on Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir. As per reports, the Reds are set to begin negotiations with the midfielder, who could cost £60m.
Fekir has enjoyed a fantastic season with Lyon, supplying a lot of assists and scoring a truckload of goals. The influential Frenchman has been a real star for Lyon with the club qualifying for the Champions League next term.
Equally adept at playing in midfield as well as in attack, Fekir could be the ideal Coutinho replacement for Liverpool.