Liverpool's biggest transfer priority just changed after Florian Wirtz absence
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool has already wrapped up one signing ahead of the summer, and having done a deal for Jeremy Jacquet, its next priority should be becoming obvious for Arne SlotLiverpool head coach Arne Slot has a big summer ahead of him(Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Regardless of where Liverpool finishes in the Premier League standings — and the team should be looking to push on in the race for the Champions League spots in the next few games — there will still be work to be done in the summer.That, of course, has already started, and the extent of it will depend on other factors, such as Liverpool's progress on contracts. But with key elements of the team having begun to show signs of progress in the last month or so, the areas that lack depth are becoming clear.With young center-back Jeremy Jacquet signed and Ibrahima Konate — albeit with his contract running down — having significantly improved lately, the defensive situation is starting to change.READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe tipped to help Liverpool solve Alexander Isak conundrumREAD MORE: Arne Slot already explained why Rio Ngumoha is being made to wait for more Liverpool chancesIn midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has struggled for large periods of the campaign and both he and Ryan Gravenberch, even though Liverpool won via a goal from the former at the weekend, couldn't cover the ground.But in attack, even with Florian Wirtz coming to the fore of late, Liverpool is lacking proper pace and dynamism.
In wide areas, particularly against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, where the German was missed, it was really lacking quality.Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah have scored only 12 non-penalty goals between them so far this season and neither has the explosiveness required to get to the byline.Mohamed Salah endured another frustrating performance against Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty Images)Without the speed required to beat a man and break the lines — even if Salah did look like he was capable of that again during the FA Cup win over Brighton — Liverpool is lacking that kind of profile.Some will be quick to point to the sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich last summer, but the error there was not signing a replacement rather than cashing in on a player who was 29 and wanted to go.Rio Ngumoha has been exciting when handed chances, but Arne Slot has been right to be cautious with his body, given his age, and it would be totally unfair to expect a 17-year-old to instantly be the saviour.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. At the top of the priority list, though, should be at least one extra quality option out wide.Get that, and the likes of Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak will reach new heights.Matt AddisonMatt Addison is the Liverpool FC reporter for Liverpool.com, covering the Reds through written articles, podcasts and videos.
He was formerly the Liverpool ECHO's Blood Red Writer, having joined Reach PLC in November 2019. He enjoys covering Liverpool's youth teams, as well as the first team, and is an FA-qualified football coach and referee.Liverpool FCTransfersFlorian WirtzCody GakpoMohamed Salah