If you’re not moving forwards in football, you’re moving backwards.

That’s an idiom Liverpool must consider this summer as they look to build on an impressive Premier League title triumph in the transfer market. Stronger competition lies in wait next season and now is the chance to reinforce from a position of strength.

Departures are expected as Liverpool look to trim the fat, with funds almost certainly made available for Arne Slot after last summer’s tame business. Despite the Reds securing top spot at a relative canter, there are still several areas in their squad that require improvement.

Here are six players Liverpool should try to sign as Slot looks to build a dynasty.

Milos Kerkez

Current club: Bournemouth

It’s been apparent for some time that Liverpool need reinforcements at left-back. Andy Robertson has endured an extremely difficult campaign as Father Time continues to expose his decline, while Kostas Tsimikas, who could well leave Anfield this summer, has proven an unreliable deputy in his place.

Left-back is expected to be a priority position for the Reds come the end of the season and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appears their preferred recruit. The 21-year-old has enjoyed a thoroughly impressive campaign with the Cherries and has blossomed under Andoni Iraola’s tutelage, catching the eye with his lung-bursting darts down the flank and excellent deliveries into the box.

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes signed Kerkez for Bournemouth in 2023 and the Reds are considered the front-runners for his signature – which could be worth £45m – although they face stiff competition from several European giants.

Dean Huijsen

Speaking of special Bournemouth talents, enter Dean Huijsen. The 20-year-old was of interest to Liverpool last summer but instead made the move to the south coast, where he’s since developed impressively. Such a swift ascent has seen him earn his first Spain caps and attract attention from the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Liverpool are also reported suitors and have been tipped to reinforce at centre-back this summer, especially if Ibrahima Konate, who has just over a year left on his contract, departs the club. Someone of Huijsen’s frame, stature and skill could be an ideal replacement and will be on the Reds’ wishlist regardless of Konate’s future.

Vanderson

With Trent Alexander-Arnold edging towards the exit door, Liverpool must consider how best to replace him. Conor Bradley is a shoo-in to take the throne but the Reds will almost certainly need reinforcements in the department, especially given the Northern Irishman’s injury record.

There will be many candidates unearthed in the Reds’ search but Monaco’s Vanderson might be a typical Liverpool signing. Plucked from a mid-level European club with plenty of experience and huge potential, relatively cost-effective and not the most glamorous right-back on the market – he ticks Liverpool’s recruitment criteria.

The 23-year-old has racked up over a century of appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit and has even earned five Brazil caps due to his impressive displays. Few in Europe can match his defensive output – he ranks in the top one per cent of full-backs for tackles and interceptions across the big five leagues over the past year – and while he’s not as progressive as Alexander-Arnold, the addition of Kerkez on the other flank would allow him to adopt a more measured role.

Adam Wharton

Adam Wharton’s ascent has been remarkable. The 21-year-old took no time adjusting to the Premier League after swapping Blackburn Rovers for Crystal Palace midway through last season, and has even been capped by England since. The midfielder has attracted attention from Europe’s elite already.

Liverpool will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on such an impressive homegrown talent, especially one with such room still to grow. Capable of playing in a deep or more advanced role, Wharton in an all-rounder, and while he must work on elements of his defensive game, he ranks incredibly high in the Premier League for progressive passes and chances created among midfielders.

He needs a little fine-tuning but there can be no doubts over Wharton’s supreme technical ability.

Bryan Mbeumo

Despite owning a fair few already, Liverpool are reportedly targeting a new wide forward this summer. The Federico Chiesa experiment is yet to yield positive results and question marks remain over the long-term futures of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota – although the latter is more readily used in central positions these days. Mohamed Salah continues to astound but isn’t getting any younger and needs someone capable of sharing the workload.

Bryan Mbeumo could be the answer to Liverpool’s prayers. The Brentford star continues to fly under the radar despite his dazzling performances in west London and has produced 25 goal contributions for Thomas Frank’s side this season. The Cameroonian’s consistency is noteworthy, with 15 combined goals and assists in each of his four Premier League campaigns.

Mbeumo shares many characteristics with Salah – quick, deceptively strong and a wicked left foot – and has shown versatility in playing across the forward line. He won’t come cheap but he could be another astute signing for the Reds.

Alexander Isak

Liverpool are arguably an elite striker away from reaching the next level under Slot. Their lack of clinical number nine proved costly in the Champions League last 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, as well as in the Carabao Cup final with Newcastle United – where Alexander Isak showed them exactly what they were missing.

The Swede swept an accurate drive beyond Caoimhin Kelleher to double Newcastle’s advantage – his fourth goal in his sixth game against Liverpool – and it was a finish typical of the towering centre-forward. He’s produced another astounding goalscoring campaign as he becomes the hottest property on the continent.

Liverpool will be one of his countless suitors this summer, although few can afford his reported £150m price tag. With Darwin Nunez likely to leave and Jota another potentially heading for the exit door, funds could be recouped and put towards a deal with Newcastle for Isak’s services.

He would be a truly special addition to Slot’s side.

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