There is no doubt that the 2025/26 season was a huge disappointment for everyone at Liverpool Football Club, especially given the level achieved the previous year.
Arne Slott led the Reds to Premier League glory in his first season in charge at Anfield, but the Dutchman was unable to replicate that feat in his second season.
His team currently sits in fifth place with seven games remaining, and could be in for a serious battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Such a situation is even more inconceivable when, after title glory, the leaders handed the manager the equivalent of £450m to help strengthen the squad.
However, despite last summer’s big spending spree, Slott could be handed further funds in the coming period to further improve the talent in his senior ranks.
Liverpool begin talks to sign new star for £40m
Over the past few days, Liverpool have been touted as having a wealth of attacking talent ahead of the summer season and a big push to improve their front line.
Bayern Munich star Michael Oliseh is just one name that has been mentioned as a potential move to Merseyside, with reports suggesting a big-money bid is expected during the off-season.
It was claimed that a club-record offer could be made for the Frenchman, but it has now been confirmed that the Bundesliga side do not consider the attacker to be for sale.
Oliseh is not the only attacker they are eyeing at the moment, with Juventus star Francisco Conceição also currently under consideration within the organization.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, the Reds are already in talks with the Italian team over a deal that could see them sign the Portuguese forward during this period.
The report also states that an agreement could be reached between the two sides during the off-season, but that a transfer fee of £40 million could be required to complete the move.
Why Conceição could be Liverpool’s next Coutinho
Liverpool are a club that has boasted countless great attacking talents, but one of them that has captured the hearts of their fans is Brazilian attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
He joined from Inter Milan in the winter of 2013 for just £8 million, but few supporters were well aware of his qualities or ability in the final third.
However, he certainly became popular with Merseyside supporters and went on to make 201 appearances for the Reds, scoring 54 goals and providing 42 assists.
His magical moments at Anfield played a huge part in the club’s return to the top of the Premier League before he left for a staggering £142m in January 2018.
Liverpool’s biggest ever sale
Some great players have left Anfield in search of big money.
Despite currently spending huge amounts of money on players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, Slott must be hoping to have his version of Coutinho in the senior ranks.
However, his wishes could come true during the summer, especially if the management can complete a deal with Juventus for Conceição’s services.
The Portugal international may be unknown to many supporters, but he will be looking to emulate the Brazilian, who arrived at Anfield from one of Italy’s top teams in the first division.
Like Coutinho, the 24-year-old can play in a number 10 role or even off the right flank, potentially filling the void left by Mohamed Salah this summer.
He is also very creative in attacking areas and could emulate Coutinho on Merseyside if a deal goes through.
Conceição has played in 23 Serie A games this season, scoring a total of six goals and assisting, but those numbers don’t fully reflect his talent.
The forward has created 1.5 chances per 90 so far this season and completed 89% of the passes he attempts, ranking him in the top 3% of all attackers in the division.
Francisco Conceição – Serie A Statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | twenty three |
goals and assists | 6 |
Pass accuracy | 89% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.5 |
Dribbling completed | 56% |
Touch inside the 18 yard box | 7.7 |
shot taken | 3.1 |
cross success | 20% |
Figures like this are testament to Coutinho’s ability to identify his teammates in the final third – a trait he became widely known for during his five years at Anfield.
The Juventus star has completed 56% of his dribble attempts so far and has the star quality to often weave through opponents and tee up teammates in front of goal.
His record of 7.7 touches per 90 inside the opposition box only makes him more of a threat in the final third, and Conceição has the ability to play alone or provide the ball to players around him.
Paying £40m for a player of his quality in today’s market would be great business for the Reds and would solve their problems within the final third.
If he can approach the level the Brazilian produced on Merseyside, this move could go down as one of the club’s best business deals in recent years.
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