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Liverpool have yet to strengthen their squad since Andoni Iraola acknowledged the club "needs more players" last month, and the potential departure of Curtis Jones makes the need for new arrivals even more pressing.
The Reds are already pursuing the high-profile signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola. Addressing Mohamed Salah's exit remains the top priority, even though Barcola's finest performances in Paris frequently came on the left side.
Despite their record-setting spending spree last summer, Liverpool's squad demands significant reinforcement even if the PSG star does arrive on Merseyside. The 4–2 loss to Leeds United in Chicago exposed their thin defensive cover, and they also risk weakening their midfield considerably if Curtis Jones ultimately moves to Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri continue to pursue a deal for the Scouse midfielder, who featured 34 times in the Premier League last season. While most fans don't view Jones's potential departure as cause for major alarm, Iraola's midfield options would look worryingly limited without him.
There is clearly room for Liverpool to expand their transfer targets before the summer window shuts. Here are five players who could step in for Jones at Anfield.
Alex Scott
Although Alex Scott has turned down a contract extension on the south coast, Bournemouth remain firm in their stance that he is not available for transfer this summer.
Scott wrapped up the offseason following a breakthrough campaign and has attracted attention from the Premier League's top clubs. Liverpool are among those thought to be interested in the versatile English midfielder, who appears destined to become a regular fixture in the national team before long.
Scott is a complete midfielder who blends elegant ball-carrying with fierce intensity when out of possession. New Liverpool manager Iraola drew the best from him at the Vitality Stadium, and a reunion with his former boss at Anfield would likely appeal to the 22-year-old.
He appears to be a shrewd acquisition regardless of the price, but the Cherries are expected to be resistant. They are reluctant to lose key players ahead of a season that includes Europa League football for the first time.
Kaishū Sano
For those unfamiliar with the Bundesliga, Kaishū Sano first came to wider attention at the World Cup. The Mainz midfielder played three times for Japan at the tournament, netting the opening goal in their 2–1 loss to Brazil in the round of 32.
Sano, who faced sexual assault charges in 2024, subsequently signed for Mainz and promptly helped them secure a sixth-place Bundesliga finish. The additional demands of Conference League football saw them slip to 10th last season, though Sano arrived at the World Cup in fine form.
The Japanese international is a defensive midfielder who is relentlessly tenacious without the ball. Think of him as a younger, more refined version of Wataru Endō, who is still on Liverpool's books.
Iraola's midfield needs greater structural discipline, and while Sano shouldn't be confined solely to a holding role, the 25-year-old would strengthen Liverpool defensively thanks to his exceptional off-ball qualities. He is well-suited to Iraola's high-intensity pressing setup.
Sano is also remarkably consistent. He has started every Bundesliga match for Mainz since arriving at the club two summers ago.
Chema Andrés
Liverpool won't be landing Rodri this summer, so why not consider the next best thing?
Chema Andrés, 21, honed his craft at Real Madrid before moving to Stuttgart last year in pursuit of regular first-team football. He certainly made the most of it, featuring 39 times across all competitions last season.
Standing at 6'3", the physical resemblance to Rodri is striking. Chema carries a tall and commanding presence, even tucking in his shirt in a manner rarely seen in the modern game.
There are areas for Chema to refine, but early indications suggest he could follow Sergio Busquets and Rodri as Spain's next elite holding midfielder. He operates with remarkable efficiency in possession, often needing just one or two touches to bypass opposing presses.
Sign him now and watch him blossom into a genuine star within a few years.
Manu Koné
Didier Deschamps made a costly error by dropping Manu Koné from France's starting lineup for the World Cup semifinal against Spain, despite the Roma midfielder's impressive showing in the quarterfinal victory over Morocco.
Deschamps turned to Koné at halftime, but the damage had already been done.
The Frenchman demonstrated his quality in North America this summer, and the relatively muted transfer interest surrounding the 25-year-old is somewhat surprising. His injury record may be a factor.
Nevertheless, there have been loose links to Manchester United, and Liverpool should enter the race if they need a Jones replacement.
Koné is a composed, precise passer who rarely loses his cool under pressure. He contributes effectively in the build-up phase and is a tenacious defender with excellent game-reading ability. The Roma man is somewhat underappreciated, with his next club set to acquire a hungry, gifted midfielder in the prime of his career.
Trey Nyoni
Jones's exit would alter the picture, but for now, signing a midfielder is not the immediate priority. If Inter continue to stall, Liverpool may not have sufficient time to bring in a replacement. The club will also be directing a large portion of its summer budget toward the Barcola deal.
As such, Liverpool may look to promote from within.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai appear set to start on the opening weekend, particularly following questions raised over Alexis Mac Allister's heading ability after his hair transplant. That leaves Trey Nyoni climbing the pecking order.
The 19-year-old has been among the standout performers of Liverpool's preseason to date and looks primed to step up. The teenager has made sporadic first-team appearances since his debut in February 2024, including his Premier League bow last December.
Iraola has spoken glowingly about Nyoni's "confidence" in possession, and he has so far carried himself with the assurance of a seasoned professional in preseason. Nyoni can be metronomic in his play, yet is equally capable of threading passes through defensive lines. He looks like the genuine article and could be ready to serve as Liverpool's fourth midfield option.