Liverpool Find Themselves at the Top of the Premier League After 20 games. 6 points clear with a game in hand, making them strong favourites for the title. They’ve been in similar positions before, sometimes going on to win the league, while on other occasions failing to do so.
In previous seasons under Jürgen Klopp, it was often the turn of the year when things typically began to unravel for Liverpool. The post-Christmas malaise often led to their form dipping. This season, under Arne Slot, things have the potential to be different. The playing style is a little less hectic, and they’ll be hoping the energy saved will see them through to the season’s end.
Step on the Gas
Liverpool are often at their best in the transfer market when strengthening from a position of strength. As seen with the January arrivals of Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota. However, what they often fail to do, both as a team and as a club, is put their boot on the neck of their competition when in a position to dominate. Two good transfer windows could see Liverpool dominate for the next couple of years.
Despite their excellent first half of the season, there are still areas for improvement. Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation under Slot but can’t play every game. The drop in quality from him to Wataru Endo, who would serve as his backup for the number 6 position, is stark. Liverpool now have the opportunity to target players like Martín Zubimendi and reinforce a key area where one injury could cause a major setback. Alphonso Davies’s contract situation at Bayern could also be an opportunity for Liverpool to take advantage. These are just examples of the kind of players they could pursue—those with affordable buy-out clauses or expiring contracts.
Distractions Ahead
It’s no secret that the contracts of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are a concern. The real issue is that these contracts are currently in limbo. Until deals are signed, Liverpool have no clear idea of the budget they’ll have to work with.
In this writer’s opinion, FSG (Fenway Sports Group) would have been content to let all three players leave. The sudden title challenge and uptick in form may have caused second thoughts. Awarding massive contracts to players over 30 goes against FSG’s principles, and it’s unlikely that any of the three players would accept a pay cut to stay at the club.
Ideally, FSG might have preferred to part ways with Salah and Van Dijk at the end of the season. Now they’ve been forced to act but are doing so slowly. Both players have expressed a desire to stay, but they’re also the top earners at the club. According to Capology.com. The expiring contracts of Salah, Van Dijk, and Alexander-Arnold represent Liverpool’s three highest-paid players. Combined they account for £750,000 a week of Liverpool’s wage budget.
That’s just the beginning. Liverpool are set to release their financial results for the 2023–2024 season. After a year without Champions League football, these figures are expected to show a significant dip. The acquisition of an entirely new midfield cost over £100 million. Also, the collapse of the Buckingham Group added unexpected expenses to the completion of the upgraded Anfield Road stand. While Liverpool’s finances for the current season may look healthy, the previous season’s numbers took a serious hit.
Not Plain Sailing
There are other issues, too. Ibrahima Konaté, despite his excellence, struggles to stay fit. Andy Robertson, while still contributing plenty, has made some uncharacteristic mistakes. The midfield rebuild initiated by Klopp needs to shift focus to the defence for the 2025/2026 season. Richard Hughes, although likely to have more funds available, still has significant work to do. Throw in summer signing Federico Chiesa, whose integration has been difficult. There’s a small minefield for Liverpool to Navigate.
Liverpool are a club that expect to compete in every competition they enter. While they’ve been successful so far this season, they must avoid becoming complacent. There’s plenty of work to be done in the summer transfer window. They could make a serious statement by beginning those plans early.
January is a notoriously difficult time to conduct business, but Liverpool have proven time and again that they’re willing to act. They could make decisive moves now to help try and secure the title.
