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Liverpool’s possible 25-man squad for next season after four transfers and nine exits

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Liverpool’s possible 25-man squad for next season after four transfers and nine exits

Liverpool already have one eye on the summer transfer window as they continue to mount their late charge for Champions League qualification this season.

But if they finish in the top four or not, there are set to be some notable changes to Jurgen Klopp’s squad when the 2023/2024 campaign eventually rolls around.

Having shelved plans to target Jude Bellingham when the market reopens, the Reds will instead spread their budget on several additions as Klopp and his recruitment team strive to revamp the engine room. Among the countless alternatives to Bellingham are Nicolo Barella, Alexis Mac Allister and Mason Mount.

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Even with Trent Alexander-Arnold impressing in his new hybrid role from right-back into midfield, it would be reasonable to expect Liverpool to make two or three signings in that area, while manager Klopp is thought to be in the market for another defender, too. Outgoings – of which there could be plenty – will have a major baring, too.

So, with that in mind, we take a closer look at the Reds’ potential 25-man squad for next season…

Goalkeepers: Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher (or Adrian), a back-up goalkeeper.

As mentioned above, outgoings will shape final plans for Klopp and his recruitment team and that is no more evident than within the goalkeeper ranks. Alisson is unmovable as number one, but back-up options Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian have been linked with moves away. It’s highly unlikely Liverpool would allow both to leave in the same summer, but there will be contingency plans in place to bring in a second or third choice.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson, Jurrien Timber, Calvin Ramsey, Kostas Tsimikas, Virgil van Dijk.

With one year to run on his contract, Joel Matip may be the most dispensable senior centre-back for Klopp and the club has one final chance to ensure they generate a fee for his services. Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams should also garner interest, while there are one or two moving parts to consider, such as what role Alexander-Arnold will be assigned to next season. In that respect, versatile cover for right-back and centre-back would be pretty useful and there is, arguably, no better option than Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber to try and target.

Midfielders: Stefan Bajcetic, Harvey Elliott, Fabinho, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount, Jordan Henderson, Thiago.

In an ideal world, it would be Bellingham and one other. However, such is the need for a drastic rebuild in the engine room, there is no wiggle room in the budget to facilitate Plan A and Liverpool have already performed a U-turn before the market opens. Mac Allister would add much-needed guile, creativity and flair at a bargain price when compared to Bellingham, while Mount has excelled as a bridge between midfield and the forwards at Chelsea before his struggles this season. Due to his contract situation, he too would not break the bank.

Forwards: Fabio Carvalho, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah.

Even with Roberto Firmino heading on his way, there is not much need for change in attacking quarters now fit-again Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are back in the first-team mix after their respective injury setbacks. Summer signing Darwin Nunez has enough to build on, while in recruiting Cody Gakpo mid-season Klopp and Liverpool foresaw what might happen with Firmino after eight hugely-successful years at Anfield.

INCOMINGS: A back-up goalkeeper, Jurrien Timber, Alexis Mac Allister, Mason Mount.

OUTGOINGS: Adrian (or Caoimhin Kelleher), Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Joel Matip, Arthur Melo, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams.

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Liverpool act as inspiration for AC Milan in Inter clash after”kick in the teeth”claim

The final will be staged in Turkey’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium where Steven Gerrard inspired a Liverpool fightback from 0-3 down against AC Milan in the 2005 final – and the Italians need a miracle

AC Milan were stunned by rivals Inter on Wednesday night (

Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Premier League old boys Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted early goals to leave AC Milan needing a Liverpool-style comeback to return to Istanbul.

This mad Milan derby was a million miles away from the old stereotype of cagey Italian tactical battles with 29 shots and defensive blunders. Seven-time winners Milan had conceded only one goal at home in their previous six semi-finals – and only once in their last six Champions League ties this season.

But Dzeko, who started ahead of Romelu Lukaku, and Mkhitaryan both scored in a crazy opening 11 minutes. Inter Milan looked like scoring on every attack as ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, who was booked after the break, showed why he has started only one match for England under Gareth Southgate.

By contrast, Inter’s Denzel Dumfries showed why he is a wanted man across Europe although Cameroon keeper Andre Onana had little chance to impress Manchester United, Tottenham or Chelsea.

The blue-and-black half of the city are now 90 minutes away from a first Champions League final since Jose Mourinho ’s team won the title in 2010. It will be staged in the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in the Turkish capital where Steven Gerrard inspired a Liverpool fightback from 0-3 down against AC Milan in the 2005 final.

The return leg is on Tuesday with the winners facing Dzeko’s former club Manchester City or Real Madrid. But the Bosnian warned: “It is a great result for but nothing is finished. In the Champions League only great teams get to the semi-finals so we have to be careful and be concentrated like today in the second game.”

Stefano Pioli’s 2023 team were dealt a huge blow before kick-off when winger Rafael Leao failed a lunchtime fitness test on his thigh strain. But the evening was soon to get worse at a packed San Siro where old stars like Paolo Maldini and Andrei Shevchenko – accompanied by Novak Djokovic – came out for the show. By the end the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic could not watch while the 7,000 Inter fans for the away leg in their shared stadium made all the noise.

Dzeko opened the scoring after only eight minutes when he held off Milan captain Davide Calabria to volley home Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner. At 37 years old, the former Manchester City striker is the second oldest player to score in a Champions League semi-final after Ryan Giggs (37years 148 days) for Manchester United against Schalke in 2010-11.

Inter take a two-goal lead to next week’s second leg

Three minutes later former Arsenal and United star Mkhitaryan, who is a mere 34, picked up Federico Dimarco pass and ran into a space as wide as the Piazza del Duomo before doubling the lead. Calhanoglu hit the post before Inter were given a spot kick after 31 minutes when Lautaro Martinez beat Tomori before going down when touched on the back by Simon Kjaer.

But Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano reversed his decision after consulting a pitchside monitor. Inter still sent in 11 shots in the opening 45 minutes despite enjoying only 41% of possession.

AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan denied Dzeko a second goal after the break before the hosts improved after the introduction of Divock Origi. Sandro Tonali hit the post after 62 minutes and sub Tommasso Pogbeba shot straight at Onana in injury time.

Tomori said: “Conceding two goals early on like that is difficult. It was a kick in the teeth. In the first half it took us a while to get back into the game. Second half we were better. I think there was a bit of anxiety in the team. It was difficult but it is only the first leg and we can’t let our heads drop. We know if we play with the right intensity we can put them in a bit of bother. With a bit more determination, a bit more anger, we could have scored. But we have to move onto the next game.”

 

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