Liverpool’s line-up could look like in 2026 if transfer rumours prove true – including Crystal Palace targets.
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Liverpool may have just embarked upon one of the most expensive transfer windows in football history, but given the reigning champions’ recent performances there may still be more work to do in 2026 if Arne Slot’s side is to realise its full potential.

How Liverpool’s breathtaking £715m line-up could look in 2026 – if PSG & Crystal Palace targets are signed | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
While Liverpool are unlikely to be too busy in the forthcoming January window given the record-breaking £420m spent over the summer, if expensive acquisitions such as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong continue to disappoint then new additions will be necessary at some stage – while their lack of depth in defence is a growing concern.
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Although we’re still a couple of months away from the next transfer window, the gossip columns are already filled with stories connecting Liverpool with some potential transfer targets – and we’ve looked at some of the more plausible stories to see what Liverpool’s line-up could look like next year if the rumours prove to be true.
Marc Guéhi just one of Liverpool’s defensive targets
Liverpool’s last-minute failure to sign Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace on deadline day has left the Reds with a worrying lack of depth at the back, a problem already compounded by Giovanni Leoni’s ACL injury – and one that may be worsened if they cannot tie Ibrahima Konaté down to a new contract amidst interest from Real Madrid.
The signing of at least one new centre-half is, as a result, almost essential, and Liverpool will almost certainly be among the bidders for Guéhi when his contract at Palace expires in June – but they will face stiff competition for his signature and are unlikely to make a move in January.
Other reported targets include Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo, Brentford’s Nathan Collins and Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, and it’s this position that Liverpool are most likely to strengthen in January after Leoni’s injury left them short-handed for the rest of the campaign. Expect at least one addition over the winter if the finances will stretch.
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Liverpool among teams in for Adam Wharton
Another Crystal Palace player who could find his way to Anfield in the near future is talented midfielder Adam Wharton, who is the subject of interest from several sides – but Liverpool and Real Madrid increasingly appear to be two of the frontrunners for what would be a very expensive deal next summer.
Palace are hoping to tie Wharton down to an extended contract in order to fend off interest from rival teams, but it’s unclear whether the 21-year-old will be willing to sign a new deal or not given the opportunities that seem set to present themselves.
While a deal for Wharton is not likely to prove more expensive than the deals made for Wirtz or Alexander Isak this summer, he could still cost close to £100m and any such deal would depend on whether the club could embark upon another major spending spree next summer. Wharton is highly unlikely to move in January as it stands, but if Liverpool can afford it then it’s very likely that they’re in the bidding come the summer of 2026.
PSG & Bournemouth stars also on Liverpool shortlist
With Mohammed Salah struggling for form, it would also be no surprise should Liverpool be in the market for another wide forward next year, and two names are cropping up on the rumour mill with increasing regularity.
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PSG’s Bradley Barcola is one, with Liverpool said to hold long-term interest in the winger, while another is Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who was linked with a move to Anfield before he signed a new contract at the Vitality Stadium over the summer.
Semenyo’s sensational form in the Premier League this year, however, means that he remains on the club’s radar and while a deal would again be extremely expensive, should he sustain his current hot streak then the Reds could be prepared to break the bank once more to secure a long-term replacement for Salah, who may be discovering that age is starting to catch up with him.
Potential 2026 Liverpool starting XI if rumours prove true: Alisson; Kerkez, Guéhi, Van Dijk, Frimpong; Wharton, Gravenberch, Wirtz; Semeyo, Isak, Salah.
LIVERPOOL10 months ago