This Liverpool XI could match Arsenal Invincibles with £400m transfer splurge

Liverpool have made a formal approach for Alexander Isak as they look to build a team capable of matching the Arsenal Invincibles.

After winning the Premier League title last year in Arne Slot‘s first season, the Reds are in a position of strength – as they also continue to deal with their off-season tragedy.

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It’s an incredibly difficult time for the Merseyside club, who face having to continue their plans for the new season while still dealing with the unimaginable loss of Diogo Jota.

The Reds have retired the Portuguese star’s No.20 jersey to ensure Jota will be remembered and have a permanent place in the club’s history.

And yet, despite the club’s incredible grief, Liverpool chiefs still have a responsibility to improve the squad ahead of the new campaign which could bring even more success.

After a very frugal summer last year, the Reds are going all out in an effort to create a super team that could dominate for years.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have wasted no time in improving Slot’s squad despite the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.

The club have splashed out close to £200million on Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.

But the spending isn’t done there.

talkSPORT understands Liverpool have informed Newcastle United that if they decide to sell Isak, they are there.

The Reds would be willing to offer a British transfer record £120million to secure his services, but the Toon’s stance is that the striker isn’t for sale, and they value him at £150m.

Isak has three years left on his deal at St James’ Park, and it will be an extremely difficult transfer to do, but the Reds could make it happen.

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On top of that, Marc Guehi is also still on the radar, with the centre-back not signing a new contract at Selhurst Park.

This means the Eagles have just two more windows to sell him, and the Reds are keen on making a deal happen for around £40m.

With that in mind, talkSPORT.com has taken a look at just how Liverpool could line-up next year if they assemble this super team.

Goalkeeper

Incredibly, Liverpool have two of the best shot-stoppers around competing for the No.1 spot.

Despite rumours, Alison Becker remains at Anfield and will likely start the season as first choice.

However, injuries have plagued the Brazilian and, after selling Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford, the Reds have welcomed Giorgi Mamardashvili who made his debut in the pre-season victory over Preston.

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The Georgian goalkeeper joined Liverpool last summer before spending the year on loan at Valencia, but he is now on Merseyside and is an excellent goalkeeper; who will put pressure on Alisson and provide excellent cover when needed.

Defenders

Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid has been mitigated by the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong.

The Reds acted swiftly to secure the Dutchman’s services from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £29.5m.

He will compete with Conor Bradley for the right-back position, but Frimpong offers more going forward.

The former Celtic man can play anywhere down the right and contributed 30 goals and 44 assists in 190 Leverkusen appearances.

On the other side, Andrew Robertson now has some serious competition.

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After years of being one of the best left-backs in the world, the Scotsman showed signs of decline last year, and Liverpool wasted no time in swooping for Milos Kerkez.

The Hungarian international played every Premier League game for Bournemouth last season and impressed with his high-energy style.

In many ways, he looks to be the perfect fit at left-back and cost £40m.

One of the centre-back positions isn’t even up for debate, as it will be Virgil van Dijk‘s.

Despite being well into his 30s, there has been no real sign of decline from the Dutchman, who recently signed a new deal at Anfield.

Van Dijk is the captain, and he is still at the top of his game.

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The other centre-back position is much more up for debate.

Ibrahima Konate has one year left on his contract at Anfield and is yet to sign a new deal.

That could see him sold this summer or leave on a free next year.

Either scenario would open the door for Guehi to slot in alongside Van Dijk.

The England international is right-footed but plays on the left of a back three for Palace, so he’d be more comfortable on the right with Van Dijk next to him.

Midfielders

It’s pretty clear that two of the midfield positions are basically locked down.

Playing as the deepest lying player will be Ryan Gravenberch, who was a revelation last year.

The Dutchman was one of the best players in the league as the Reds stormed to the title, and alongside him, he had another.

Alexis Mac Allister is the dream all-action midfielder and can basically fulfil any role, and he regularly contributes goals as well.

Of course, Curtis Jones is also an option, but these two are the clear favourites.

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However, the attacking midfield position in Slot’s preferred 4-2-3-1 shape is definitely a harder choice.

On the one hand, you have Dominik Szoboszlai, who enjoyed a stunning second Premier League season, adding goals and assists to his game.

But it was his relentless work out of possession that made him so valuable to the team.

However, you do feel his game time is about to drastically reduce.

This is because Florian Wirtz is now a Liverpool player, and they didn’t spend £116.5 million for him to sit on the bench.

The German international rejected Bayern Munich, and Manchester City withdrew from the race.

And they have signed one of the most exciting young attacking players in the world, given Wirtz’s quality and movement.

He is surely going to be playing over Szoboszlai in most matches.

Wingers

As it stands, Liverpool will still have Luis Diaz on the left after rejecting moves from Barcelona and Bayern.

The Colombian reportedly wants to leave the club, but the Reds are standing firm and keeping him.

However, his place in the team isn’t guaranteed due to the presence of Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo registered 18 goals in all competitions last season, and you could see him start over Diaz, given the uncertainty over the latter’s future.

On the other side, you do feel sorry for Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa because they have to compete with the monster that is Mohamed Salah.

It is hard to put into words just how good Salah was last season, but he was a massive reason for Liverpool winning the title – often turning matches on his own.

In all competitions, he registered 34 goals and 23 assists, which is absurd.

Of course, there was much speculation about his future, but he ended all of that by signing a new deal earlier this year.

Striker

If Liverpool do manage to convince Newcastle and break the Premier League transfer record, then Isak would be the starting striker.

We are talking about a player who has 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle.

However, Liverpool will face a fight if they are to get Isak to Anfield.

The player has made no indication that he’s unhappy on Tyneside, and reports have indicated the Toon will offer him a new deal.

However, should Newcastle’s stance change, he would be a sensational addition to this Liverpool side.

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