Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy on Sunday afternoon, celebrating Arne Slot’s triumph in front of so many legends, so many fans.
It was a day charged with emotion, an outpouring of joy and, for those such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, ruefulness, for he parted ways with his boyhood club ahead of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer next month.
It’s a big blow going forward: Alexander-Arnold is Anfield’s vice-captain and the club’s beating creative heart besides. However, don’t expect the newly-crowned champions to rest on their laurels.
Slot’s surpassing season has put Liverpool back on their perch, and FSG don’t want to stop there. Indeed, swift and incisive moves are being made to do it all again next season, making a through line into the fresh campaign.
Liverpool plan to make a series of exciting changes, but it’s hard to imagine any deal would top the move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Liverpool made their first official bid for Wirtz on Monday morning, offering Leverkusen a package in excess of €100m (£85m), including add-ons.
This suggests previous claims that the Germany international would cost FSG something in the ballpark of €150m (£126m) were wayward, and indeed music to the ears of those of a Liverpool persuasion.
There are a number of ways the Reds can line up with Wirtz in the squad, and that’s without even entertaining the possible acquisition of a new centre-forward.
We haven’t reached the finish line with this transfer ‘saga’, but we’re getting close. It would take a drastic and deflating turn of events for 22-year-old Wirtz to begin the 2025/26 campaign in a shirt other than Liverpool’s.
The rapidity with which FSG are taking care of business testifies to the enviable manner in which Liverpool get things done. There’s a reason Anfield has stood near the top of the European pile for a decade, after all.
Remarkably, the bid for Wirtz hasn’t detracted from other ventures. Jeremie Frimpong has reportedly completed his medical, should be announced this week. And moreover, Liverpool are closing in on yet another signing.
Liverpool agree terms with top target
Liverpool are making headway in their bid to sign Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. At the weekend, Fabrizio Romano revealed the Reds have the lead over Manchester City in the race, and indeed are in active discussions to bring the 21-year-old over to Anfield.
Now, the reputable journalist has confirmed to GIVEMESPORT that Liverpool have agreed personal terms with the sought-after left-back, with just “some small details to be clarified.”
It’s understood the Cherries want £45m for their prized prospect, though FSG would certainly hope to whittle this down and structure the outlay into smaller chunks.
Why Liverpool want Milos Kerkez
Andy Robertson’s performance against Palace on Sunday could be used as a gauge to examine the pressing need for a new left-back.
It was wonderful to see the 31-year-old receive his second Premier League title, but he’s past his best, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher hailing him an “absolute legend” but noting he’s “hanging on in every game.”
Given Kostas Tsimikas has struggled to displace the veteran, forever his deputy, it’s understandable FSG should be pulling out all the stops in their bid to sign Kerkez, who has fallen in love with the prospect of Anfield after his immense breakout campaign.
The Hungarian, Dominik Szoboszlai’s international teammate, started all 38 of Bournemouth’s Premier League fixtures last season, scoring two goals, providing five assists and notably winning 60% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore.
The left-back will dynamise the left flank, raise the level through enhanced energy levels and attacking output. Moreover, his defensive game is at a superior level. With Wirtz arriving on the scene too, this bodes well for Slot’s second season.
Left-back Alex Grimaldo has been an incredible asset for the Werkself in recent years, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the role and covering large stretches of ground to provide a platform for those such as Wirtz, who is technically a ten but his influence is such that he defies positional definition, often drifting over to the left.
The Leverkusen star might be one of the elite playmakers of his generation, but he can’t do it all alone, especially if his left-back fails to drive play into his zone.
Luckily, Liverpool’s potential new defensive signing has the full package and could complement Wirtz’s silky, stylish attacking arsenal, having been described by pundit Izzy Christensen as a “machine” of a player.
Kerkez has a long way to go before he can call himself a playmaking asset on the level of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, but with Trent gone and the Scottish star no longer at his best, it’s crucial Kerkez steps in to supply the likes of Wirtz with the support he will need to flourish.
1
Trent Alexander-Arnold
64
2
Andy Robertson
60
3
Leighton Baines
53
4
Graeme Le Saux
44
5
Kieran Trippier
38
Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have 74 and 46 assists, respectively, but achieved such chiefly through more advanced berths.
However, given his youth and impressive start to life in the Premier League, there’s every chance Kerkez can now go from strength to strength and make a significant impression for Slot’s Liverpool.
Across the past two seasons, Wirtz has posted 69 goal contributions across all competitions for Leverkusen, making a telling comment on the calibre of player the Reds are set to welcome.
With Kerkez in behind him, striking a devastating partnership, this could elevate the Anfield project to a level scarcely imaginable.
Forget Gravenberch: Slot's 6/10 Liverpool star showed why he must be axed
Liverpool drew against Crystal Palace before lifting the Premier League trophy at Anfield.
ByAngus Sinclair May 25, 2025
