There are several reasons for this Liverpool team's decline in 2025/26. Indeed, Arne Slot failed to find the same kind of rhythm in his Reds side as last season and deserves criticism for that.
However, Mohamed Salah was out of action in his last Anfield campaign, while Alexander Isak did not kick a ball due to various injury problems.
A lot was expected this season after the transfer window for the players they had, not only receiving Isak but also signing Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
However, it is not uncommon for a team that wins a window to go on to set the world on fire. It's a strange curse.
So, I hope Liverpool's vision for the next term is better. Another priority is signing a replacement for Salah, but the pitch is also an ever-growing problem.
Liverpool could sign a big-money midfielder from the Premier League
While Yan Diomande appears to be the first choice to replace Salah on the right side of the Slot attack, Adam Wharton is one of the priorities in the middle of the park.
Reports last month suggested the Reds were already in advanced talks to bring the Crystal Palace midfielder to Merseyside. However, that route has gone cold in recent weeks.
Wharton is a prodigious talent and is expected to leave Selhurst Park this month amid interest from Manchester United.
Another Premier League midfielder on Liverpool's radar is West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes who should leave the London Stadium regardless of whether Nuno Santo's side escape relegation.
According to TEAMtalk this weekend, the Anfield outfit are one of the teams that have opened initial discussions with the Hammers regarding Fernandes.
They note that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all lodged 'inquiries' over his status in recent weeks. However, they will also face competition in the Champions League final against PSG.
West Ham have put £70m on the Portuguese midfielder's head so it won't be a cheap deal to complete.
Why Fernandes would be a better signing than Wharton
Wharton is one of England's best midfielders in the world. Not only that, he is one of the best the Premier League has to offer.
He is 22 years old, his growth in the past few years has been nothing short of amazing. From starring with Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, he now has the potential to be regarded as a top team with Crystal Palace.
He is one of the most impressive midfielders and can contribute a lot to Liverpool's engine room. The way he can avoid the press is amazing. His passing breaks the lines with ease. Indeed, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for goals, a metric that proves the point we just made.
However, Fernandes boasts a complete game that matches the greatest midfielder in the league right now; Declan Rice.
Two of them are the meaning of 'they eat the ground'. According to the data, the two best players in the Premier League this season are Rice and Fernandes. No other player has a higher average carry distance to gain per carry. For those who may be a little confused as to what that means, it is how much ground a forward gains a player by drafting before losing the ball.
He's a smart player and improves on the ball, but more importantly, how does he compare to Wharton?
|
Wharton vs Fernandes: 2025/26 Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Mathematics (in 90 minutes) |
Wharton |
Fernandes |
|
Goals |
0 |
0.1 |
|
Shots |
0.6 |
0.5 |
|
It helps |
0.2 |
0.1 |
|
Opportunities are created |
1.5 |
1.1 |
|
The takeover is complete |
0.6 |
1.0 |
|
The success of the takeover |
51% |
61% |
|
Duels won |
5.0 |
6.1 |
|
Ideas |
0.9 |
1.1 |
|
The discovery of the ball |
5.8 |
5.5 |
Well, Wharton is the better passer but when it comes to winning duels and getting away from tacklers, Fernandes is streets ahead, living up to that Rice comparison.
He may complete 0.4 more take-ons per 90 minutes than Wharton but the efficiency and regularity with which he is able to outplay a player is astounding. You complete taking more than 60% time. It's very difficult for anyone to get the ball off him.
With a Liverpool team currently relying on Alexis Mac Allister in the same position, that should be music to the ears of supporters and Slot. This season, the Argentinian is only completing 0.4 takes out of 90, and his overall success is down 40%, well below Wharton and Fernandes.
While both would be great signings for the Reds, Fernandes' ability to get forward and play should make him the best option here. This is a top-class player, a midfielder that football writer Joost van der Leij believes is already a “star”.
“He's world class”: Liverpool in talks to sign £50m Mac Allister
Liverpool are preparing for another summer of big changes in the transfer market.
