Liverpool win Premier League: Reds must rebuild with big signings

There are questions in defence, especially in the full-back positions, while even Virgil van Dijk's decision to sign a new contract may not rule out additions at centre-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Andrew Robertson is 31, with speculation rife that Bournemouth's Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez will arrive as his successor.

Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: "Van Dijk is staying and will be the mainstay, so whether there is an addition depends on Arne Slot's view on Joe [Gomez] and Jarell Quansah. The amount of minutes they have played this season is very limited, so that suggests to me that he wants some back-up there.

"Virgil is coming up to 34 so they will want to get someone who will play a lot of games. If Van Dijk gets injured there is no-one there with anywhere near his presence.

"There have been rumours about Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth, who is a super young talent, but I'd like to see someone a bit further down the line in their development.

"The names that spring to mind will not be easy, maybe impossible, to get but you think of Micky van de Ven at Spurs, Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite.

"They are used to the Premier League and all different. Van de Ven has got lightning pace, Guehi has physicality, although he is not the biggest, a real calmness and leadership. Branthwaite maybe doesn't have the athleticism but is a real presence.

"If you could guarantee Gomez would be fit you might not use up your budget there. Van Dijk's durability at his age, and Ibrahima Konate as well, have been a huge reason why Liverpool have been so good, but I think centre-half will be looked at."

Liverpool's immediate defensive priority looks be at left-back, but the emergence of 21-year-old Conor Bradley has delivered what looks like an ideal replacement at right-back if Alexander-Arnold leaves.

Murphy said: "In an ideal world you might want to bring people in for both full-back positions, but if you are looking at a central defender and two full-backs, then you're going to enter into the forward positions and maybe one extra in midfield, you won't have the finance to cover all bases.

"The praise Slot has given Bradley suggests he would be in that right-back berth if Trent leaves. Everyone needs to remember he is only a young lad with high expectations and he has had a few injuries."

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