Yes, I am very much aware Liverpool are still in a race to secure Champions League football for next season. I don't need reminding of how frustrating this campaign has been for the Reds.
However, with Chelsea seemingly giving away results at this point, it's looking more and more likely that Liverpool be in Europe's top competition next season, which in turn, means Arne Slot is also expected to remain at the helm despite all the negative noise around the club and him all season.
Against that backdrop, it is never too early to look ahead and map out what you want to see at the club. That's just prudent planning.
We all love making our dream scenarios in terms of arrivals, formations, etc. Well, this dream starting XI is based off of Slot's current style and includes any players I want to arrive, not necessarily who I expect to be here with total certainty.
Without further ado, let's get into the way-too-early 2026/27 dream Liverpool XI.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Defenders: Conor Bradley, Micky van de Ven, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Adam Wharton
Attacking Mids: Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Michael Olise
Striker: Alexander Isak
SUBS: Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexis Mac Allister, Allan (Palmeiras), Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth), Rio Ngumoha, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo
The reports of Juventus pushing hard for our Brazilian shot-stopper do put me a little on edge. But, in this world, he reaffirms his commitment to Liverpool and stays on at least one more season.
As much as I think Giorgi Mamardashvili will be a fine keeper in time, he is still not at the level of Alisson even now.
A fully fit and firing Conor Bradley is something everyone can agree on. He brings a steel and determination to the pitch that is not unlike a young Andy Robertson before he really took flight in his career. Bradley can offer enough going forward to match a Jeremie Frimpong, but he is far more solid defensively than the Dutchman.
If Tottenham completes their epic collapse and gets relegated, I think the Reds signing van de Ven becomes almost a certified lock.
Pairing his electric pace and immense room for growth alongside his countryman would be a tantalizing setup.
Ibou Konate would have his say on things for sure, but his erratic form throughout this season has not done him any favors in terms of the benefit of the doubt. I want Konate here, but we need fresh challengers in central defense.
A New Midfield Star
Last season's midfield trio of Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister have not hit the same heights again this time around as a trio.
Gravy is playing better of late, and I still think he is one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League. Alexis Mac Allister has been the most expendable this season as he has been far more up and down than his peers.
Szoboszlai is a Player of the Season candidate at Anfield, but his tools are better used up the pitch. That means that Slot will have to dip into the market for support, and there is no better candidate for this role than Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton.
The young Englishman has blossomed into a complete midfielder and his presence at the base of the engine room alongside Gravenberch would free up so much space in the final third for others.
Huge beneficiaries of this would be Szoboszlai and Wirtz, who will be eager to really show off his stuff following a topsy-turvy debut season in England.
Olise has been electrifying at Bayern Munich and would cost a pretty penny for any club to pry him away from the German giants.
With Mohamed Salah departing this summer, a huge correction in the wage bill is going to be available to get a move like this over the line. Olise would bring the same dynamism that we saw from Salah for years, and his arrival would signal the beginning of a new era of Reds attackers.
Striking Options
A case could be made for Ekitike to be the starting striker going into next season, and based on pure metrics, that would be right.
However, forgive me for wanting the most expensive footballer in British transfer history to be the guy up top. A healthy summer should see him ready to smash in the goals next season and beyond to restore his reputation.
This is subject to change of course, but as of late April, I think this is a squad that could get Liverpool moving back in the right direction as a club.
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