3 signings Liverpool need to make this summer

Liverpool have yet to make a signing during the summer transfer window, and some fans are starting to get a little anxious already.

New head coach Arne Slot has tried to ease those fears, insisting he would be 'surprised' if the Reds go the entire window without bringing in a new player and that new sporting director Richard Hughes is hard at work identifying targets.

But who should Liverpool be after this summer? What gaps do they need to plug?

Let's look at three players who could be on their shortlist.

Bryan Mbeumo

In the long-term, Liverpool should probably begin planning for life after Mohamed Salah.

And that's not to say Bryan Mbeumo would be that, but the Reds could use some more depth in that part of the pitch, if only to take the load off of their Egyptian king a little as he progresses through his thirties.

Brentford's Premier League journey has been headlined, for better and worse, by the exploits of Ivan Toney, but Mbeumo deserves a fair chunk of credit too.

Thomas Frank adores Mbeumo not just because of the goals and assists he brings, but the tempo he sets and the work ethic he displays from training ground to the stadium - it's his go-to line to compliment the Cameroonian in press conferences.

Mbeumo's ankle problem which ruled him out for three months last season was the first injury recorded in his entire career, and he often has no problem completing 90 minutes.

Diogo Jota made a leap when he left Wolves for Liverpool in 2020, and there's every chance Mbeumo could do the same if given the opportunity.

Ederson

Listen, we can all have a laugh and joke about Jurgen Klopp saying Liverpool were 'lucky' to wind up with Wataru Endo instead of Chelsea-bound Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, but the Reds still need a younger defensive midfielder moving forwards.

The market is pretty dry for that kind of player right now, with Ederson probably the standout name available.

The Brazilian rose to prominence on Atalanta's road to Europa League glory last season, notably helping the Italian side eliminate Liverpool at the quarter-final stage.

Ederson isn't quite a glamour name, but if anything that suits Liverpool's transfer strategy a little more - find players on the cusp of stardom and let them blossom at Anfield.

Mohamed Simakan

Another defender - ideally a versatile one - is also required at Liverpool, and reports from Germany have already linked them to RB Leipzig's Mohamed Simakan.

Which, yeah, that scans and makes sense. The Frenchman is capable of playing at right-back as well as in the heart of defence.

Coincidentally, Simakan was signed by Leipzig in 2021 for Ibrahima Konate upon his departure for Liverpool. Hey, if you know the stock is good why would you bother buying elsewhere, right?

Perhaps the concern about Simakan is he is a good-not-great player. Time is on his side at the age of 24 at least, and again this isn't a sexy name to send fans crazy, but it could still prove a smart buy if Liverpool follow through with their interest.

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