Liverpool
Three Ways Liverpool Could Line Up in 2026/27, ft. Jacquet and Two More New Signings
Liverpool manager Arne Slot pointing
There might still be a few months of the 2025/26 season left to play, but Liverpool have already completed their first acquisition of the summer. Arne Slot’s side have concluded a deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet.
Although the 20-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, the Merseysiders beat the Blues to the talented youngster’s signature. The deal is expected to cost in the region of £60m with add-ons, with Jacquet likely to partner Virgil van Dijk as a potential replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who is out of contract in the summer.
But the young French defender is likely to be just one bit of business the Reds conclude in the off-season, as they seek to revamp their squad and get back to challenging for the Premier League title after a season where they have largely fallen short of expectations. Having been linked with several other talents, they could set out their exceptionally talented team in a variety of ways in 2026/27.
Option One: Stick With a 4-2-3-1
Stade Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet in action with Paris St Germain’s Bradley Barcola
Although Slot’s position in the Anfield dugout is by no means secure for next season, right now, the Dutchman is set to be the man in charge of Liverpool when 2026/27 kicks off. If that remains the case, then there’s likely to be little change in shape.
Sticking to their preferred 4-2-3-1 would also enable incoming personnel to learn from teammates with regard to style of play, and there are changes across the board. In defence there’s a completely new centre-back partnership as Jacquet lines up next to Van Dijk. But changes on the right side might not stop there.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries, as they seek additional reinforcements in that part of the backline. Hailed as ‘world-class’ after establishing himself as one of the better wing-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, the Dutch international offers plenty going forward, while also being more defensively sound than Jeremie Frimpong.
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are the team’s natural pivot options in midfield, while Florian Wirtz takes up his preferred position as the team’s number 10. But with Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future still up for debate following his outburst in December, a change could be made on the right flank.
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If they are in need of wide attacking options, the club could do worse than Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, who they hold an interest in. Although his preferred position is on the left, he is capable of playing on the opposite wing, having lined up there on 17 occasions. Having the 20-year-old on one side and Cody Gakpo on the other would be an excellent combination, and a dream for either one of Hugo Ekitike or Alexander Isak.
Liverpool’s potential line-up in 2026/27 (4-2-3-1)
Option Two: Play 4-4-2 With Isak and Ekitike
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike comes on as a substitute to replace Alexander Isak
One issue Liverpool have rarely had to deal with this year is what to do when both Isak and Ekitike are fit and firing, due to the former’s injury problems. That is unlikely to continue into the new term, but it begs the question of how the team might look should neither wish to stay on the bench.
In their Champions League match against Frankfurt, Slot started both strikers in a 4-4-2 formation, which might be the best way to include all of Liverpool’s attacking options. The backline remains unchanged, with both Jacquet and Dumfries keeping their places in the team.
In midfield, Liverpool can afford to play the more attacking Dominik Szoboszlai instead of Mac Allister, with the Hungarian in much better form than his teammate this season. In the match against Frankfurt, Wirtz was moved to the right of the pitch, which would then allow Yildiz to play in his preferred position on the left.
Liverpool’s potential line-up in 2026/27 (4-4-2)
Option Three: Move to a Back Three
virgil van dijk liverpool-1
This feels like the most unlikely option, but an argument could definitely be made that Liverpool’s squad have all the pieces to play a back three formation. Giovanni Leoni impressed during his debut for the club against Southampton before picking up a season-ending ACL injury, and feels the most likely option to fill the remaining centre-back role in this shape — although you feel the club could do with more cover in this area should they play this system.
Liverpool
The contract and paperwork are already in place for Liverpool to welcome back Jarell Quansah, who left Merseyside to join Bayer Leverkusen last summer, to help fill out the Reds’ thin defensive ranks
Yes — that claim lines up with multiple transfer-news reports: Liverpool could re-sign 23-year-old England centre-back Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen in future, thanks to a buy-back clause in the deal that sent him to Germany — but not immediately next season.
🔁 What’s Happening with Quansah and Liverpool
Quansah moved from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee around £30m-£35m (plus add-ons), joining the Bundesliga side on a long-term contract.
As part of that transfer, Liverpool inserted a buy-back clause allowing the club to re-sign him in the future for a pre-agreed fee.
footballtransfers.com
However, the clause cannot be activated until the summer of 2027 at the earliest.
TEAM
Reports suggest the buy-back figure could be around £50m-£60m (with potential add-ons increasing the fee), although exact numbers vary across sources.
Sports Mole +1
There are also indications Liverpool have pre-agreed personal terms with Quansah should they trigger the buy-back, smoothing the path for a return.
TEAMtalk
🧠 Context for the Move
Quansah was a Liverpool academy graduate and made senior appearances before leaving, but opted for more first-team football in Germany.
Football Today
With his development in the Bundesliga and Liverpool’s evolving defensive needs, the idea of bringing him back — especially given future departures or ageing defenders — is being discussed in transfer circles.
TEAMtalk
Bottom line: the Football Insider claim that Liverpool could re-sign Quansah later isn’t unfounded — there is a buy-back clause — but any switch is realistically targeted for 2027 or beyond, not next summer.
Liverpool
Donnarumma’s 𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑫𝑰𝑩𝑳𝑬 save 97th minute… pure madness at Anfield Manchester City were leading 2–1 when Liverpool threw everyone forward in one last attack. A thunderous strike from Mac Allister looked destined for the net… but Donnarumma pulled off a massive, unbelievable save that left the entire stadium in shock
PURE ANFIELD MADNESS 😱🔥
97th minute. City clinging to a 2–1 lead. Liverpool throw everyone forward. The crowd is bouncing, the tension is unbearable…
Mac Allister absolutely thunders one towards goal — it’s heading in, no doubt abo
FULL HD VIDEO🎥 👇👇👇
ut it.
Then BOOM 💥
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA pulls out a save from another universe 🤯
Reflexes. Reach. Nerves of steel.
Anfield frozen. Liverpool stunned. City survive.
One of those saves that changes the whole story of the match.
Goalkeeper moments don’t get crazier than this 🤣🧤🔥
Football, bloody hell.
Liverpool
BREAKING NEWS The Word From Liverpool Is’ – Arne Slot Sack Update Emerges After Man City Defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s job is believed to be safe for now, despite their recent home defeat against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, according to journalist David Lynch.
The Reds looked as though they were heading to victory after Dominik Szboszlai fired in a stunning free-kick from range to put his side in front. Late in the game, Bernardo Silva latched onto a headed throughball by Erling Haaland, poking past Alisson Becker to level the scoring.
In the final minutes, Man City were awarded a penalty, and Erling Haaland stepped up to slot into the bottom corner, scoring the winner for Pep Guardiola’s side. City had the ball in the net once again in the dying seconds, but play was brought back for a foul by Szoboszlai, who was sent off after a VAR review.
Arne Slot Safe at Liverpool
According to journalist Lynch, Slot’s job at Liverpool is safe at the moment, but he doesn’t buy into the idea that he can afford endless poor performances and results.
The word from Liverpool is that Arne Slot is safe, but I don’t really buy the idea he can afford endless poor performances and bad results until the end of the season. Today was both, in my opinion. https://t.co/sjMRhibrZK — David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) February 8, 2026
Liverpool are seemingly willing to stick with Slot for now, which might not be a huge surprise after he won the Premier League title last season. Their achievement in the 2024/2025 campaign undoubtedly carries a lot of weight, with Slot having credit in the bank heading into this campaign.
Results will undoubtedly have to improve, and with one Premier League win in their previous seven games, the pressure is on Slot to turn things around as soon as possible.
Liverpool need to make a decision and soon, as they are in danger of seeing their season drift away from them. The Reds will have been aiming to lift the Premier League title once again, but now, even Champions League qualification is looking like a difficult task.
The mentality to throw away a 1-0 lead against Man City is the biggest disappointment for them, especially as they’ve notoriously been a bogey team for Guardiola at Anfield. The credit in the bank will only last so long, and the board must surely be considering making a change in the near future
If FSG think that 6 wins out of the last 20, a points per game ratio similar to Spurs, behind United, just 2 points ahead of Everton and some dreadful football thrown in means he’s safe, then what would he have to do to be in trouble? FSG must see that he is not the answer. The Kop will decide on Slot’s fate as they did with Hodgson.
The idea having credit in the bank for having a past title, that’s only a rhyme at Lfc. We saw Mourinho being sacked for far less bad results though he is/was a seasoned manager. Had Slot won the CL? At Lfc it is all about the money. They fabricate reasons just not to sign new players. They do the same not to sack.
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