Liverpool Football Club have rarely been a side to rest on their laurels. From Bill Shankly’s revolution to Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing renaissance, each generation has been defined by bold decisions, calculated risks, and moments when the club dared to move forward rather than cling to the past.
Now, under Arne Slot, Liverpool find themselves at another pivotal moment. The Premier League champions of 2024 are not a team in crisis—far from it—but they are a side in transition. With the transfer deadline rapidly approaching, the club have been linked with two potentially game-changing moves: Newcastle’s Swedish star Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace’s gifted midfielder Adam Wharton.
On paper, these transfers could push Slot’s Liverpool from contenders into an era-defining side. But football is rarely that simple. Behind every high-profile transfer lies risk: financial, tactical, and psychological. Can Slot balance the need for immediate reinforcements with the long-term vision required to sustain Liverpool’s dominance?
This piece takes a deep dive into Liverpool’s current squad, Slot’s tactical philosophy, the allure of Isak and Wharton, and why these moves could shape the next five years at Anfield.
It’s easy to forget how turbulent Liverpool’s squad looked just two years ago. In 2023, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all departed, ripping out the heart of Klopp’s once-dominant midfield. Critics feared the Reds would spiral into mediocrity, unable to replace both leadership and quality in one swoop.
Instead, the club moved decisively: Alexis Mac Allister arrived from Brighton, Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, and Wataru Endo from Stuttgart. It was a gamble, but within 12 months, it paid off spectacularly.
Gravenberch, in particular, flourished under Slot, winning the 2024/25 Premier League Young Player of the Year award. Mac Allister became the heartbeat of the side, while Szoboszlai offered bursts of creativity and work rate. Endo, though not a star, provided invaluable depth.
And yet, despite the midfield overhaul, questions remain. Liverpool may have built one of the league’s most dynamic midfields, but they lack a true long-term No. 6—someone who can both dictate tempo and anchor the side when games descend into chaos. This is where Adam Wharton enters the story.
Liverpool’s engine room has always defined their identity. Under Klopp, the midfield was the unglamorous but indispensable glue: Milner, Henderson, and Wijnaldum pressed relentlessly, recycling possession to unleash Salah, Mané, and Firmino. Under Slot, the system is more possession-based, but the principle remains—control the middle, and you control the match.
The problem? Gravenberch, as excellent as he is, showed signs of burnout last season. Slot relied on him heavily—37 Premier League starts, almost every Champions League minute until December—and the Dutchman, still just 22, looked drained in the final weeks. Endo, meanwhile, is industrious but limited, often used only when Liverpool face teams of lesser quality.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are not natural deep midfielders either. Both excel further upfield, connecting play rather than shielding the back line. Which means Liverpool are vulnerable when faced with teams who break quickly or dominate possession themselves.
Enter Wharton. At just 21, the Crystal Palace midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting deep-lying playmakers in England. And crucially, he offers something Liverpool don’t currently have: composure on the ball, progressive passing, and defensive tenacity rolled into one
Crystal Palace fans might feel déjà vu. Just as Eberechi Eze blossomed into a superstar before Arsenal came calling, Wharton now seems destined for the same trajectory. Since breaking into the Palace team, he has shown maturity well beyond his years. Let’s compare him directly with Gravenberch, since their roles could overlap
The numbers tell an intriguing story. Gravenberch is more polished, but Wharton creates more chances, wins more tackles, and is already competing statistically with one of the Premier League’s brightest midfielders despite playing less than half the minutes.
Journalist Henry Winter wasn’t exaggerating when he called Wharton a passing machine.”He ranks in the top 8% of midfielders in Europe for shot-creating actions and top 5% for ball recoveries. In short, he wins the ball and uses it intelligently—a rare combination for someone his age.
The sticking point, of course, is the price tag. Palace have reportedly slapped a £100m valuation on their jewel. But in an era when Declan Rice went for £105m and Enzo Fernández cost £106m, perhaps that’s just the going rate for elite young English midfielders. If Wharton addresses midfield stability, Alexander Isak represents a different kind of signing entirely: a statement of intent.
Liverpool’s attack is already formidable. Hugo Ekitike has arrived as a long-term project, Florian Wirtz shattered the British transfer record and looks every bit a generational talent, while Darwin Núñez continues to baffle and excite in equal measure. Add in Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and of course Mohamed Salah, and the options seem endless.
The answer lies in balance. Núñez, for all his energy, is inconsistent in front of goal. Jota is clinical but injury-prone. Ekitike is talented but raw. Salah, at 33, cannot be relied upon forever. Liverpool need a centre-forward who combines ruthlessness with intelligence—a striker who doesn’t just score, but elevates those around him
When pundit Ally McCoist described Isak as the best all-round centre-forward” in the Premier League, it wasn’t hyperbole. The Swede may not match Erling Haaland’s sheer goal-scoring volume, but he offers a more complete package.Movement: Isak drifts intelligently, pulling defenders out of shape and creating space for midfield runners. Link-up Play: He excels at quick combinations, playing one-twos, and laying the ball off under pressure.Finishing: His composure inside the box is world-class. He may not thunder the ball like Haaland, but his placement and timing are deadly.
Work Rate: He presses from the front, fitting seamlessly into Slot’s system.
At 25, Isak is entering his prime. Newcastle will fight tooth and nail to keep him, but Liverpool’s reported interest is no coincidence. He could be the focal point of Slot’s new-look frontline, dovetailing with Wirtz and Salah while providing a reliable target for midfielders like Wharton
Arne Slot is not Jurgen Klopp 2.0. While Klopp’s football was defined by chaos and intensity, Slot’s approach is more calculated. His Feyenoord sides were known for positional play, controlled possession, and building attacks with precision. At Liverpool, Slot has adapted slightly, respecting the Premier League’s pace, but the principles remain. He wants
If Liverpool land both Wharton and Isak, Slot’s blueprint will look complete. Wharton anchors midfield, freeing Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. Isak spearheads the frontline, allowing Wirtz and Salah to flourish in space. The vision is clear: dominance through control, rather than chaos. Of course, this all comes at a price. Isak would likely cost north of £100m. Wharton is valued the same. Together, we’re talking about a potential £200m outlay in the final days of the window.
Can Liverpool afford it? The club have spent heavily already—Wirtz alone cost a record fee. Yet the commercial power of Liverpool is immense. A Premier League title last season boosted revenues, and new sponsorship deals with Nike and international partners have swelled the coffers. Still, these moves would be a gamble. Unlike Manchester City or Chelsea, Liverpool don’t have bottomless pits of cash. Every mega-transfer must be justified on the pitch.
For all the optimism, fans know transfers are never a guarantee. For every Virgil van Dijk, there is a Christian Benteke. For every Salah, there is a Lazar Marković. Potential risks include: Injuries: Isak has had fitness issues in the past. Liverpool cannot afford another forward sidelined for long spells.
Adaptation: Wharton is talented but inexperienced. Can he cope with the pressure of a £100m price tag at Anfield?
Squad harmony: Adding big-money signings could unsettle current stars, especially Núñez and Gravenberch. Financial Fair Play: Even Liverpool must tread carefully with UEFA’s new spending rules. Slot will need not just tactical acumen, but man-management skills to integrate new arrivals smoothly.
Supporters are already divided. Some argue that Liverpool should focus on Marc Guehi first, strengthening defence before splurging on midfield and attack. Others believe that Isak is non-negotiable: a once-in-a-generation striker too good to pass up. One fan on FootballFanCast summed up the mood:Let’s get the Guehi signing done first before we attack another Palace player and give Glasner heart failure.” It’s a fair point. But if Liverpool truly want to cement dominance, they may need to gamble big now rather than later.
Liverpool have always thrived in moments of boldness. Signing Keegan, rebuilding under Paisley, transforming under Rafa, resurrecting under Klopp—each era came from decisive moves.
Arne Slot now faces his first true test. Stick with the squad that won the league, or push the boat out and build something greater?
Adam Wharton and Alexander Isak could be transformational. Together, they offer control and cutting edge, youth and maturity, dynamism and intelligence. But at £200m combined, they also represent enormous risk.
The deadline is looming. Liverpool’s future could hinge on whether the club decide to make one last, audacious splash.
For fans, one thing is certain: this isn’t just another transfer window. It’s a crossroads in the history of Liverpool Football Club.
