Five transfers Liverpool should make to seal Champions League return after underwhelming 2022-23
LIVERPOOL are plotting a stunning return to the Champions League in 2024.
And Jurgen Klopp needs to make sure he signs the right players in arguably the most important transfer window of his career.
The Reds stuttered to a fifth-place finish this term, having bounced back late on from a disastrous start.
It means Liverpool will be playing Europa League football in the new season.
And they have already started to make changes by releasing four first-team stars.
Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left Anfield as free agents.
But while there have been exits, there will also be arrivals.
Liverpool could do with no less than FIVE new signings.
And that’s NOT including Alexis Mac Allister, who has already joined from Brighton.
Here, SunSport looks at the five men who can help Liverpool seal their return to the Champions League…
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MARC GUEHI, 22 (CB – CRYSTAL PALACE)
VIRGIL VAN DIJK and Joel Matip aren’t getting any younger, while Joe Gomez continues to leave doubts over his potential.
Guehi has gone from strength to strength since leaving Chelsea for Palace.
And he is now a regular in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Guehi would boost Liverpool’s home-grown contingent while also providing more leadership at the back.
IVAN FRESNEDA, 18 (RB – REAL VALLADOLID)
ALREADY hailed as Europe’s top young full-back, Fresneda is being chased by a host of clubs including Arsenal, Newcastle and Barcelona.
The teen enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season.
And he already has 22 top-flight appearances in Spain.
With a relegation release clause of just £17million also kicking in, Fresneda would be a fantastic deputy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
KHEPHREN THURAM, 22 (DM, CM – NICE)
A MAINSTAY in the highly-competitive France squad with 114 Ligue 1 appearances to his name, Thuram is a powerhouse of midfield.
More refined than compatriot and fellow Liverpool target Manu Kone, Thuram is already wanted at the club by Ibrahima Konate, who said: “I would be very happy for him to come and I would take him under my wing.”
It’s also doesn’t hurt that he is the son of legendary French defender Lillian Thuram.
And he’s also the brother of sought-after World Cup final star Marcus Thuram.
GABRI VEIGA, 21 (CM, AM – CELTA VIGO)
CHELSEA are thought to be leading the race for this talented playmaker, with Man United and Newcastle also linked.
And it’s no surprise why, with Veiga’s 11 goals this term earning him the nickname ‘Baby Kaka’.
A smooth operator, his silky midfield skills could blend perfectly with the power of Thuram and the ferocity of Mac Allister.
But Veiga’s arrival could leave the likes of Curtis Jones sweating over his future.
FEDERICO CHIESA, 25 (LW, RW – JUVENTUS)
LIVERPOOL certainly aren’t short on firepower.
But Firmino’s departure has the left the gap open for a sixth forward.
Chiesa is looking to leave Juventus in search of a new challenge, and his versatility makes him the ideal forward for Reds boss Klopp.
The Italian still has his best years ahead of him, and is eager to show everyone why he was once hailed as the best upcoming forward in European football.
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