Anfield’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, will have already completed a comprehensive audit of Liverpool’s accounts and how the transfer kitty can be distributed this summer
How indeed. Audit or not, several crunch variables are at play which could shape, dissemble and remould the summer strategy. Namely, three certain players are into the eleventh hour of their bumper contracts, and while Liverpool want to tie them down, the devil’s in the details and the details do matter
We reckon there are easier jobs out there. Hughes and Michael Edwards need to work with Arne Slot to strengthen Liverpool’s squad, retain the superstars and prepare for a title-charge campaign in 2025/26 – all within FSG’s stringent parameters.
It means not everyone linked with a move away will be sold this summer. Darwin Nunez’s departure feels set in stone, but Luis Diaz’s future is more uncertain.
Would there be a benefit in keeping the Colombian on Merseyside?
Luis Diaz’s season in numbers
Diaz’s future has been a point of discussion for some time. Last summer, Liverpool were curious about Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, and while it didn’t come to fruition, there were rumours that Barcelona or the like would take Diaz off Slot’s hands to facilitate a deal
The 28-year-old is one of the more dangerous wingers in world football and has been a regular presence in Slot’s starting 11 this season as Liverpool march toward the Premier League title, 12 points clear as they are.
As it is, Diaz has posted 13 goals and five assists across 42 matches in all competitions, equating to about 2,785 minutes. Last term, he chalked up identical numbers, albeit having played around 700 minutes more with all said and done.
He’s fleet-footed and dizzying on the ball, but Diaz lacks an instinctive touch in the final third that precludes a true world-class reputation. Indeed, he’s only scored one goal so far in 2025, and it was bundled in at that.
With the likes of Barcelona retaining their interest, Liverpool may well consider cashing in for the right price, but with so much anticipated to occur at Anfield this summer, it may be a development that rocks the boat too hard.
Liverpool closing on first summer signing
As per The i Paper, Liverpool are ‘closing in’ on Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has enjoyed a barnstorming season in the Premier League
Valued at around £40m by the Cherries, Kerkez has been earmarked as the optimum target to upgrade on Andy Robertson, who is deteriorating at 31 and approaching the final year of his contract.
It’s stated that talks have begun with the player’s agent while Liverpool have also made initial contact with Bournemouth. That said, no official bid has gone in just yet
A host of top outfits including Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid are interested, but Kerkez’s preference is to move to Anfield. This feels like one which really could happen.
Why Milos Kerkez is perfect for Liverpool
Kerkez’s athleticism and avidity down the left channel would give Liverpool something missing, pumping energy that may even reboot Diaz, should the South American remain on Merseyside
Diaz was hailed by reporter Lewis Steele for his “deadly” efforts in the early knockings of the campaign, but he’s fizzled out. Kerkez could restore that devastating quality that currently lies dormant.
That said, Diaz has scored nine Premier League goals this season, missing just eight big chances. If he could be supplied with greater creative support from behind, there may yet be a resurgence on the cards.
When comparing Kerkez’s metrics this year with Robertson’s, you begin to see why
Clearly, Bournemouth’s man boasts athletic superiority over Liverpool’s veteran. And that’s okay. Robbo, you’ve done a great job, a modern legend at this gold-mine-rich point in the club’s sweeping history.
But at 31 years old, the Scotland skipper’s been run to the ground. His dribble average of 0.1 per game epitomises this. He’s not incapable of energetic bursts, but he’s way more reliant on his ball-playing game and the electric presence of those such as Diaz and Cody Gakpo ahead of him.
Kerkez isn’t the most relentless vessel, but he’s far more accurate when deciding to move forward. He’s at the heart of much of Bournemouth’s attacking play, Andoni Iraola often opting to funnel the ball into his patch to spark progression.
Hailed for his “incredible work rate and physicality” by Cherries reporter Alex Oakhill, Kerkez is exactly what Liverpool need, giving Robertson a breather and recharging the left flank