That can all be forgotten – and his relentless stream of goals and assists can be enjoyed once more, without the intruding thoughts about it all coming to an end soon. “I’m very excited," Salah said. "We have a great team now.”
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Liverpool do, of course, have a great team, with the Premier League title on its way and Arne Slot’s side 11 points clear with just nine games remaining. But with the summer transfer window now just 50 days away, you can bet that the Reds’ recruitment staff will be considering how the current line-up can be improved.
There are many moving parts on Merseyside, not least involving Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who unlike Salah are yet to announce their decisions, with their current contracts winding down. Here Mirror Football takes a look at the best-case scenario this summer, imagining the best XI Slot could start the 2025/26 campaign with.
Starting with the goalkeeper, where it seems extremely likely that Alisson will remain the number one choice. The Brazilian has continued to prove himself at the highest level and his consistency – coupled with the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili – could well lead to the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher.
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Kelleher is clearly good enough to be a No.1 goalkeeper at another club and his ambition should provide Liverpool with some useful funds in which to strengthen in other areas. That is particularly handy considering the fact it appears that Alexander-Arnold is about to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
While Conor Bradley is an able deputy, there is no doubt that Slot will want a top-quality replacement for Alexander-Arnold at right-back – and that’s where Jeremie Frimpong comes in. The Bayer Leverkusen star is a different kind of player to Alexander-Arnold – more blistering pace, less passing ability – but he offers a similar attacking threat from the position.
Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Jeremie Frimpong has showed his potential at Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Frimpong reportedly has a £33.5million release clause in his contract and it's understood Liverpool are considering a summer approach. Meanwhile, the fact he could be considered a homegrown player, having spent nine years with Manchester City previously, is another tick in his box.
In central defence, everything is pointing towards Van Dijk staying with the club and, while Liverpool would like to strengthen, he could continue to partner Ibrahima Konate having built up a strong connection with the Frenchman.
Left-back is a different story, with clear signs that Andy Robertson is not the player he once was. Liverpool have been strongly linked with Milos Kerkez and the Bournemouth full-back appears a brilliant fit for their style of play, having recorded two goals and six assists in the Premier League this season.
Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez is a perfect successor to Andy Robertson(Image: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Midfield looks to be a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Liverpool tried very hard to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer, but their failure to get the deal over the line – and his subsequent decision to join Arsenal instead – led to the flourishing of Ryan Gravenberch, who has been a revelation this season.
With the Dutchman anchoring the midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have been given free rein to get into the box. It’s been a great combination, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott available for rotation purposes.
Salah will continue as the focal point of Liverpool attack for next season. He has a preposterous 32 goals and 22 assists in 45 games this term and seems to only be getting better. It is in the other forward positions where there has been a less consistent output.
Alexander Isak
Alexander Isak is the best striker in the Premier League - but his price tag is prohibitive
Darwin Nunez has been wayward in front of goal, Diogo Jota has struggled to stay fit and there have been repeated rumours of Luis Diaz looking elsewhere. Cody Gakpo has been the best of the lot, with 16 goals and six assists so far and could take the left-wing spot going into the new campaign.
But it is clear that a new striker should be a priority in the summer transfer window. Ideally, like many big clubs, Liverpool would love to land Alexander Isak, who has proven himself to be the best centre-forward in the Premier League. The Swede has 20 goals in 24 Premier League games for Newcastle, who have warded off interest by quoting £150m for his services.
Isak is the dream signing, but he is unrealistic at that price. Liverpool could therefore look towards RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Lille's Jonathan David or Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Etikite are more affordable options at No.9. Brighton’s Joao Pedro has also been linked recently.
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Potential Liverpool XI for 2025/26: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Isak.
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