Liverpool are no longer Premier League champions and there is a lot of uncertainty at Anfield at the moment, but it is clear that Arne Slott’s side have a mountain to climb before reaching the top again.
FSG’s decision to ignore the potential signing of Xabi Alonso and Chelsea’s stranglehold on the now-secure Spanish manager has left a Liverpool fanbase unsettled, who have not seen any continuation of what could be defined as “fascinating football” for more than a year.
The clock is ticking on Slot, even as FSG maintain faith in the Dutch manager who won last season’s Premier League. But he doesn’t have unlimited faith in the bank, and the woes of a superstar like Alexander Isak are fanning the flames of an unfortunate situation that may yet explode.
Liverpool in contract talks with new right-back
The fact that Isak has not joined Liverpool’s top scorers this season is a stark testament to his struggles in his first year at the club.
The Swedish striker joined from Newcastle United in a record-breaking £125m deal last summer, but injuries and integration struggles have seen him move away from his former reputation as “the best striker in the Premier League”, as Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described him in January 2025.
Liverpool’s top scorer (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
player | app | the goal |
Hugo Ekitike | 45 | 17 |
mohamed salah | 40 | 13 |
Dominik Szoboszlai | 52 | 12 |
cody steele | 51 | 9 |
virgil van dijk | 54 | 8 |
Liverpool need forwards, but they also need deeper tools to reignite their slot attacking system, and that’s where Denzel Dumfries comes in.
According to TEAMtalk, Dumfries is seen as the perfect short-term solution for Liverpool’s right-back position, with representatives of the Inter Milan star making contact with the Anfield side in a summer swoop worth around £20m.
With Jeremy Frimpong out of action so far and Conor Bradley out with a long-term injury, right-back is a position FSG may need to prioritize this summer, and with the 30-year-old’s agent pushing for his move to Merseyside, the position could come together nicely and quickly.
Dumfries is not Europe’s youngest right-back, but he has made his mark on the biggest stage and is focused on building and influencing attacks.
Why Dumfries were able to sack Isaac at Liverpool
Dumfries is a unique wide defender in that he doesn’t have the most impressive technique, but his athleticism and predatory powerhouse qualities still make him a difficult opponent for defenders to stop.
By jumping into dangerous positions himself, he will certainly add more dimension to Liverpool’s shaky attack than Frimpong, who has only started 12 games in the Premier League this season. Journalist Alan Zepa described his offensive strength and talent as “monster”.
It’s a style that suits Liverpool’s big-money striker well. Anthony Gordon’s pace and tenacity in the left channel at St James’ Park has been a boon for Eddie Howe’s side. The fact that Dumfries completed 80% of his passes in Serie A highlights his ability on the ball and how he feeds into controlled play in the slot while adding attacking flair.
Isak grew up playing street soccer in the suburbs of Stockholm. You can see it in the way he plays, in his laid-back, loose-limbed demeanor, and in the natural instincts developed in the close quarters of the Swedish streets.
Liverpool’s non-existent midfield and problems on the flanks have negated Isak, but Dumfries could help bring him back into the light. The Dutchman is much more physical and durable than his compatriot Frimpong.
Although he is no longer a spring chicken, Dumfries is the real deal and is part of an Inter Milan team that once again won the league title and plays some of the most stylish football in Europe.
Dumfries boast a lot of attacking quality and his ability to piledrive into dangerous areas can only help Isaac rise to the occasion, especially if FSG can solve Liverpool’s creative deficiencies in the middle of the park.
Isaac will love him: Liverpool line-up moves to sign ‘young Mane’ for £35m
Liverpool need to stock up on attacking talent in the summer transfer window.
