ANALYTICAL EDGE: WHY PABLO BARRIOS’ DRIBBLING AND DEFENDING SUIT SLOT'S PREMIER LEAGUE NEEDS.
Liverpool is closely monitoring Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios, a highly technical midfielder similar to Zubimendi, but must outmanoeuvre fierce transfer rivals Chelsea for his signature.
Arne Slot said he liked the player's skill with the ball and his understanding of the game. He thought that because Liverpool usually has the ball a lot, someone good at keeping possession in front of the defence would be an asset. He also noted his defensive strengths, which fit the needs of the league.
While Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister aren't the only issues for Liverpool this season, a change in midfield could help. Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios, similar to Zubimendi, might be a good fit if Liverpool can sign him before Chelsea.
Barrios could boost both Liverpool's defence and attack. Atletico Madrid has a history of solid midfielders, but Barrios stands out with his technical skills. He's a strong tackler with good timing. His stats look a lot like Zubimendi's, and he shows qualities similar to what made Ryan Gravenberch valuable last season.
Even though he's young, Barrios is confident with the ball, ranking high among European midfielders for successful dribbles. If he can bring that skill to the Premier League, he'd outdo players like Jack Grealish in that area. Playing over 100 games for Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone before turning 22 shows he has great potential. He's also won an Olympic gold medal and played for Spain's national team.
Barrios has the defensive skills to reinforce Liverpool and the attacking ability to aid Slot's team. The question is, can Liverpool sign him before Chelsea?
Chelsea is also interested in Barrios, willing to pay a high price. As seen in the summer, Chelsea can be convincing in the transfer market, signing players that other clubs also wanted.
Liverpool learned about Chelsea's influence when Joao Pedro chose them over Liverpool. Chelsea also acquired Arsenal's Jamie Gittens and Manchester United's Liam Delap.
However, getting into Chelsea's midfield might be tough. They already have strong players like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, and Reece James has also played well in that position.
Other players like Andrey Santos and Romeo Lavia are also in the mix. Plus, Dario Essugo is expected to recover soon from his injury.
Curtis Jones hasn't been at his best this season. Wataru Endo hasn't kept up his initial good form, and Stefan Bajcetic hasn't been playing much.
Despite Liverpool's spending last summer, they also made a lot from player sales, exceeding even the year when Philippe Coutinho left. While Chelsea's spending was balanced, Liverpool's higher income means they have more financial capability in the transfer market.
So, even though Liverpool needs to strengthen other positions, the midfield should also be a priority. Barrios has the talent and possibility to help turn Liverpool around.
ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER
With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.
Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.
He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.
Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.
Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.
The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.
Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”
He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.
Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.
When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”
LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE
Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.
Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.
Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.
Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.
On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.
Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.
Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.
Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.
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