Liverpool’s pre-season schedule commences on Sunday July 13, at the Deepdale Stadium. It’ll be a feeling-out process, but one which Arne Slot will hope to use his new recruits.
And the head coach might have a range of new options to pick from. Indeed, Jeremie Frimpong is already signed and sealed as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s successor on the right flank, left-back Milos Kerkez is the subject of advancing talks with Bournemouth and the outcome of Darwin Nunez’s future move (he’s “planning to leave”, reports Fabrizio Romano) will see a new striker brought in.
But, of course, the name on everyone’s lips is that of Florian Wirtz, with the playmaker’s Bayer Leverkusen employers locked in talks with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes to agree to a British-record transfer.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Wirtz is quite the player. While biased in his opinion, former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has described him as “the best midfielder in the world”, which is high praise indeed and justifiable, if subjective.
Liverpool have done so well to beat off competition from Manchester City and Bayern Munich to come to the closing stages of a deal for Wirtz, which isn’t there yet.
Until the negotiations are brought to an agreeable close, fans will continue to bite their nails, with Liverpool seeing a £110m bid rejected. The Werkself are holding out for a British-record £120m fee.
While it would be a travesty if the bid unravelled now, it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Remember Nabil Fekir, anyone?
Liverpool would be wise to have a back-up plan. And they do.
Liverpool eyeing Wirtz alternative
As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool have joined a host of clubs in the race for Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White, who has also attracted Chelsea’s attention following Manchester City’s earlier declaration of interest.
City might have the lead, but Liverpool may yet make their move for the £70m-rated playmaker, with Forest said to be bracing themselves for official bids.
Gibbs-White, 25, may have been monitored by the Anfield side for a while, but they will need to up their game in the coming weeks if they are to beat off the divisional competition.
Why Liverpool want Morgan Gibbs-White
One of the principal architects of Nottingham Forest’s extraordinary campaign, qualifying for Europe, Gibbs-White is now proving the Tricky Trees have received bang for their buck after forking out £42.5m for his services back in August 2022.
This season, the part-time Tricky Trees skipper scored seven goals and supplied ten more across 34 Premier League matches, creating ten big chances, averaging 4.5 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.
Gibbs-White clearly boasts the kind of profile Liverpool desire for their midfield, especially since BBC analyst Raj Chohan has also humourously hailed him as “the Aldi Jude Bellingham.”
Real Madrid superstar Bellingham has opened up about his “hero” being the iconic Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, no doubt having fashioned elements of his game on Gerrard in his pomp.
Liverpool wanted Bellingham in 2023, but pulled out of the race for the Borussia Dortmund prodigy when it became clear he was leaning toward the Spanish capital, funds instead put toward making sweeping midfield changes.
The point is, though, that the Reds wanted Bellingham’s athletic, dynamic approach, and Gibbs-White could be the perfect man to bring such an identity to the Anfield heart, providing Slot with the perfect Wirtz alternative.
Ah yes, it’s probably worth noting Liverpool would only make their move for Gibbs-White if a deal for Wirtz falls through, which would strike a sense of profound numbness across Merseyside if it came to be.
But the Forest man has the skills to succeed under Slot’s wing. As per FBref, he ranked among the top 12% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers last term for goal-creating actions, the top 15% for progressive passes, the top 9% for through balls, the top 12% for interceptions and the top 15% for aerial battles won per 90.
Goal-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a goal. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
One scout has even remarked that the all-action midfielder has a “Steven Gerrard mentality”, so influential and willing to take control of a match, to spearhead the pursuit of victory.
Once called a “real character and leader” for his club by Tottenham Hotspur historian John Wenham, Gibbs-White might not be in the same talent bracket as Gerrard once was, but that’s not to his discredit.
Gerrard was in a different sphere to the lion’s share, in fairness, retiring as one of the standout midfielders of his generation and perhaps the greatest player in Liverpool’s history, devoting his entire European career to Anfield and its denizens.
A supreme leader and fiercely rounded midfielder, Gerrard’s blueprint has been replicated by new blood, but he’s never been overtaken.
However, Gibbs-White could perform the role to an emphatic effect, breaking lines, inspiring his teammates and providing a combative sheen too, the complete player.
1.
Ian Callaghan
852
2.
Jamie Carragher
737
3.
Steven Gerrard
710
4.
Emelyn Hughes
664
5.
Ray Clemence
663
Maybe he wouldn’t succeed in becoming quite so legendary a Liverpudlian as Gerrard, who featured 710 times for the Merseysiders, his boyhood club, but he could play an instrumental part in winning the Premier League, breaking clear of Manchester United and becoming the most successful
It would be nice to bring Wirtz in, for he is matchless in his position right now. However, Gibbs-White would do a job in Slot’s system.
He’s still an immense midfielder with a vibrant personality and a persistent attitude besides. If Liverpool wish to continue to make gains over the coming years, this is exactly the kind of profile they should be going for.
If the move for Wirtz doesn’t come to fruition, of course.
Liverpool exploring move for £30m "iron barrel" who's just like Van Dijk
Liverpool are interested in signing a new centre-back this summer.
ByAngus Sinclair Jun 6, 2025
