Liverpool opened their eyes to a new way of life last summer, with Arne Slot replacing Jurgen Klopp in the hot seat, tasked with driving a new era toward titles.
Well, he’s proven himself the perfect pick – and then some. Slot’s dominance in the Premier League this term has been as such that Liverpool have been sighted across Easterly holiday destinations this week, partying ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX.
It’s been almost three weeks since Virgil van Dijk led the celebrations following the 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur, almost three weeks since Liverpool put themselves back on their perch and levelled with Manchester United as England’s most successful top-flight club.
1.
Liverpool
20
2.
Man United
20
3.
Arsenal
13
4.
Man City
10
5.
Everton
9
Now that the top place on the podium has been secured, FSG need to back Slot in the transfer market and strengthen ahead of next year’s title defence. One of the biggest names around is already being lined up.
The latest on Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz
When David Ornstein speaks on a transfer rumour, it usually means such chatter has a concrete foundation. The Athletic correspondent has confirmed Liverpool have made contact with Florian Wirtz’s representatives as the fight for the in-demand playmaker heats up.
Wirtz is anticipated to leave Bayer Leverkusen this season and reports from Germany have sought to tilt the narrative toward Bayern Munich, and while the nation’s restored champions remain favourites at this stage, it’s thought that negotiations are not so advanced as has hitherto been believed.
Of course, Manchester City also reported have a vested interest and have met with the 22-year-old to discuss a potential summer move. Pep Guardiola needs a successor in the shape of Kevin De Bruyne, and they have the financial means to secure the £126m-rated superstar.
Having plundered 69 goal contributions across the past two campaigns for Die Werkself, Wirtz is clearly of the elite class. However, he’s not the only attacking player Liverpool need to sign. In fact, with Darwin Nunez expected to depart, signing a new centre-forward may be even more important.
Liverpool chasing new forward
According to The Telegraph’s Sam Dean, Liverpool have registered their interest in Brighton forward Joao Pedro, though they face stiff competition from Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Seagulls star has been a prolific success on the south coast over the past two years, signing from Watford in June 2023 for just shy of £30m.
Reports from earlier in the season suggested the Reds would need to fork out a record-breaking £100m fee to sign the Brazilian, and it goes without saying that sporting director Richard Hughes will be tasked with whittling that figure down, should interest form something more substantial.
How Pedro would fit in alongside Wirtz
Joao Pedro has scored 18 penalties for Brighton, a considerable chunk of his 30-strike haul across 70 appearances for his blue-and-white outfit.
Still, he’s a talented and dynamic striker with a combative approach which could see him slot right in on Merseyside as Nunez’s successor.
As per FBref, the top 9% for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 8% for passes attempted, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 4% for progressive carries and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Sure, he could do more in front of goal, but the 23-year-old has a certain completeness that Slot could make good use of, especially with Wirtz installed into the playmaking spot behind him.
Liverpool are all about data, and they have clearly been coloured impressed by the underlying metrics. Given that journalist Gerard Struber has hailed Wirtz for his “world-class” playmaking skills, it feels like he could be the man to take Joao Pedro to the next level.
Indeed, the German international has created 17 big chances in the Bundesliga this season, starting only 24 matches. He’s also averaged 1.9 key passes, 2.7 dribbles and 5.3 successful duels per fixture, as per Sofascore, underscoring not just creative pedigree but boundless energy and high-level athleticism too.
Could Joao Pedro wish for a better supplier behind him, threading a constant source of support with artful flair and mechanical efficiency?
The dynamic forward, who plays slightly from the left, arcing right so too maximise his shooting potential, has actually only missed 16 big chances in the Premier League across his two campaigns for Brighton too, as per Sofascore, scoring 19 goals.
This is a curious metric, one which reveals a natural clinical sense, if also a map for improvement in finding golden opportunities to score.
Mind, Slot has already demonstrated his ability to take interesting up-and-coming profiles and shape them into something special. Joao Pedro’s natural-born accuracy differentiates him from Nunez, and with Wirtz there, threading surgical passes from every which way, he has everything he needs to maximise his potential at Anfield, a veritable hothouse for player development.
The South American forward has already been hailed for his “really magical” ability on the ball by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard, and he now just needs to marry the floating elements of his skill set into a coherent whole. He needs to join Liverpool and hit the top of the ceiling.
Liverpool have put themselves back on the map as one of the continent’s most fearsome outfits, and if FSG can get it right in the market this summer, Slot could create a dynasty to connect up with Klopp’s.
With Wirtz and Joao Pedro in the mix, Slot could surely consolidate his Liverpool side’s position at the top of the table and move for greater riches, an embarrassment of riches, eclipsing Arsenal and Manchester City and all the rest and striking fear into the hearts of the club’s opposition.
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ByEthan LambMay 15, 2025