Liverpool dream 2026-27 starting XI as £60m star slots in and Mo Salah replacement signs

Liverpool dream 2026-27 starting XI as £60m star slots in and Mo Salah replacement signsLiverpool have a big summer ahead of them with major surgery required on a squad that's set to lose some big namesCommentsSportopinionChris Burns Senior Sports Writer06:30, 09 May 2026View 6 ImagesLiverpool head coach Arne Slot has a big job on his hands this summer(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Liverpool have a mountain to climb this summer. The reigning Premier League champions have put in a remarkably disappointing campaign this season. ‌ It will be a tough pill to swallow watching either Arsenal or Manchester City lift the trophy that Arne Slot's side grafted so relentlessly to win last year. A major overhaul of a squad set to lose several key figures will be essential. ‌ Should the Reds secure Champions League football next season, which appears probable, the club's finances should be in a sufficiently strong position to fund any reconstruction. ‌ Here, Mirror Football examines Liverpool's ideal starting XI for next season, should they make the most of the summer transfer window, with five new faces coming in, including new signing Jeremy Jacquet. Goalkeepers: Giorgi Mamardashvili and Lucas ChevalierOne of the most pressing issues Slot will need to address is the goalkeeping position. Alisson can lay claim to being Liverpool's finest ever keeper and still has 12 months remaining on his current deal. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FB PAGE! Latest Reds news and more on our dedicated Facebook page ‌ READ MORE: Liverpool issue statement and confirm massive U-turn after angry supporter backlashREAD MORE: 'I didn't want to leave Liverpool - but one managerial decision made my mind up'However, his 2025/26 campaign has been severely disrupted by injury and his difficulties could mark the conclusion of his time at Merseyside. Juventus have emerged as serious suitors for his signature. Giorgi Mamardashvili will in all likelihood step into Alisson's boots, with Freddie Woodman serving as a capable back-up when required this season. View 6 ImagesLucas Chevalier is need of a career revival (Image: AFP via Getty Images) ‌ Meanwhile, PSG's 24-year-old Lucas Chevalier could represent an astute signing to push Mamardashvili for his place. Although the Frenchman was dropped by Luis Enrique mid-season, he has displayed sufficient quality and may benefit from a fresh start to revive his career. Full-backs: Pedro Porro and Milos KerkezLiverpool have simply failed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who departed for Real Madrid last summer. Conor Bradley has shown glimpses of his potential at full-back but has been hampered by a string of injuries, while Jeremie Frimpong is yet to truly make the position his own. Despite Tottenham Hotspur's defensive frailties throughout this campaign, Pedro Porro stands out as a Premier League-tested defender who possesses many of Alexander-Arnold's qualities. Under former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, Porro excelled at pressing high up the pitch, delivering incisive passes and holding his own in one-on-one situations. ‌ View 6 ImagesPedro Porro could be an option for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images) A move to a club with a more solid defensive structure could elevate the Spanish star to an entirely new level. On the opposite flank, Milos Kerkez has improved enormously since his arrival from Bournemouth last summer, and with Andy Robertson set to leave, the left-back berth is now firmly his to claim. Centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy JacquetIt goes without saying that with so many experienced names heading for the exit at Liverpool, retaining Van Dijk at the heart of their defence is absolutely crucial. ‌ The Dutch captain's leadership will prove essential for Slot as he integrates a number of younger talents into the side. View 6 ImagesJeremy Jacquet has already sealed a £60million transfer to Liverpool(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images) While Ibrahima Konate may put pen to paper on fresh terms to remain at Anfield, incoming 20-year-old centre-back Jacquet, who joined the Reds in January for £60million, will in all likelihood be earmarked to partner and develop alongside Van Dijk. ‌ Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai, Elliot Anderson and Florian WirtzThere will be intense competition for Nottingham Forest's Anderson this summer. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder, who has been reported to potentially command a fee as high as £120m this summer, would introduce a fresh element of resilience to Slot's midfield, something that has been sorely absent this season. Alexis Mac Allister has endured a difficult campaign and could be offloaded to generate transfer funds this summer. Curtis Jones appears to have slipped down the pecking order under Slot, while Wataru Endo will in all probability depart the club. View 6 ImagesElliot Anderson(Image: Visionhaus) ‌ While Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is also in contention to fit into Liverpool's midfield, it's Anderson who could form a partnership with Ryan Gravenberch in a double pivot or assume defensive responsibilities on his own, with the consistently impressive Szoboszlai providing support. Wirtz, despite struggling to justify his £116m valuation thus far, should be granted a roaming role to allow him to demonstrate his undoubted ability. Front three: Michael Olise, Alexander Isak and Hugo EkitikeOn paper, it's a dream proposition. Olise, having notched 41 goals in 104 appearances for Bayern Munich, appears a natural successor to Mo Salah, who is departing the club this summer. ‌ The vision of the Frenchman charging down the right wing this season, tormenting and probing with his lethal left foot, will have given Liverpool supporters plenty to ponder. View 6 ImagesMichael Olise has starred for Bayern Munich this season(Image: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) Alongside Olise, should Liverpool manage to extract him from Bayern for upwards of £100m – one report has even suggested his valuation at £173m – is Ekitike operating from the left. The Frenchman's campaign has been tragically curtailed by a severe Achilles tendon injury, but his 17 goals in his inaugural season demonstrate the 23-year-old is equal to the challenge. ‌ Complimenting them is Alexander Isak. While it's been an imperfect first season for the British record acquisition, the Swede remains one of the most clinical strikers in Europe and it's surely just a question of time before he finds his rhythm and clicks with his new colleagues. Liverpool's dream first XI for 2026/2027: Lucas Chevalier, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet, Pedro Porro, Milos Kerkez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Elliot Anderson, Florian Wirtz, Michael Olise, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike. Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Article continues belowSky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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