{"id":1392915,"date":"2025-07-31T15:22:27","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T14:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&p=1392915"},"modified":"2025-07-31T16:47:16","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T15:47:16","slug":"three-ways-liverpool-lineup-25-26-isak","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/three-ways-liverpool-lineup-25-26-isak\/","title":{"rendered":"Three ways Liverpool could line up after summer spending spree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Liverpool have splashed the cash in the summer transfer window so far. And they could see even more signings join the club in the next few days.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reds have not been shy renewing their squad for the upcoming 2025-26 season after winning the Premier League title. It all started with German young star Florian Wirtz, followed by Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to strengthen their full-back spots. Then, they added Hugo Ekitike to the frontline — and Alexander Isak might also join in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These five signings would leave Liverpool with a lot of attacking options, but maybe a little short of defensive ones. Arne Slot will likely start the season with his 4-2-3-1\/4-3-3 hybrid, but might have to tweak it a little bit.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    First-choice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Liverpool fans will finally get to see Giorgi Mamardashvili in action after signing him from Valencia one year ago. But, Alisson will keep his starting spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Jeremie Frimpong is almost certain to be the first-option right-back, with Conor Bradley as a backup. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the only two truly reliable centre-back options. But Arne Slot seems to think they’re fine with Joe Gomez as an alternative. He’s also added Ryan Gravenberch to the mix as well, as we’ve seen from the pre-season friendlies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The 23-year-old Dutchman and Alexis Mac Allister are likely to team up at the heart of midfield, though, with Dominik Szoboszlai just ahead of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Luis Diaz’s departure leaves Florian Wirtz free to slot in at the left, with Mo Salah at the right. If Isak does sign, he would likely be Liverpool’s starting striker as a more Premier League-proven No.9 than Hugo Ekitike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Three at the back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Liverpool’s signings so far have left the squad rich with attacking options and short on defensive ones. The lack of depth at centre-back wouldn’t make this a reliable formation for the whole season. But it could be interesting in the right context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

    A three-at-the-back set would allow the Reds to fully maximize the fullbacks potential and explore all the attacking prowess and explosiveness Kerkez and Frimpong have to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Salah as a right-centre-forward wouldn’t be too different from what he’s already done ever since joining Liverpool — especially in the Jurgen Klopp days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Backup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Liverpool still have quality players to give them a spark off the bench or earn results in cup ties. This obviously wouldn’t be an ideal lineup, just enough to get them past a lower league team or play in a post-Champions League home game they would be heavily favoured to win and give the starters a rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Andrew Robertson would be going down the Aaron Cresswell route. He already took steps back performance-wise in recent years and also started drifting inside more often last season, maybe not having the same physical tools to run up and down the touchline like he used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Hugo Ekitike would take Alexander Isak’s place in the previous lineups if the Swede doesn’t sign for the Reds. But in this hypothetical exercise, here is where he would land: in a two-striker set alongside Darwin Nunez. Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott would be responsible for the wings, with Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo in midfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n