Liverpool look keen to bolster their defence ahead of another Premier League title charge next season.
The Reds came relatively close to challenging Manchester City for the championship in 2023/24, but poor end of season form ultimately cost them.
With Arne Slot taking charge of his first season at Anfield, the Dutch coach will be hoping for a little better one year on.
Slot has plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The Liverpool squad boasts a plethora of talent, many of whom will develop further from last season.
But in order to get the most out of the season, Liverpool should also be active in the transfer market. The floor of the squad needs raising, as well as the ceiling. And the defence feels like a good place to start.
Liverpool in pole position for Rayan Ait Nouri signing
Much of the transfer talk so far this summer has focused on Liverpool bringing in a new centre-back.
Leny Yoro has been the main rumour but there have also been many links to Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, amongst others.
But while the centre of his defence could do with bolstering, Slot may also need to do some business in the wide areas, too.
Left-back in particular looks to be in need of some slight work. There are question marks over Kostas Tsimikas’ future and if the Greek does leave then he’ll need to be replaced.
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There is a chance that that replacement could come from the academy. Luke Chambers and Owen Beck both had productive seasons out on-loan, for example.
But according to journalist Abdel Hamed on X, Liverpool are instead pushing for a move to sign Wolves defender Rayan Ait Nouri.
“Rayan Ait Nouri will leave Wolves,” Hamed reports. “The left-back is being tracked by Chelsea, City and Liverpool.
“For the moment, Liverpool is in pole position on the file.”
Why Liverpool should sign Rayan Ait Nouri
Left-back should not especially be a priority for Liverpool before the end of the transfer window. Nevertheless, there would be plenty of sense in signing Ait Nouri despite his reported £60m price-tag.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has called the 23-year-old an ‘incredible talent‘ and he has developed into a top Premier League full-back during his four years at Molineux.
That was on full display last season, as Ait Nouri equalled his best goal contributions for a season at Wolves. Three goals and two assists may not sound like much, but the Algeria international was very impressive.
Not all of it was good, mind you. Ian Wright was left enraged by a decision that went against Ait Nouri during Wolves’ clash with Man City in May.
“This could be one of the worst penalties I’ve ever seen given in the game,” Wright said after the Liverpool target was adjudged to have fouled Josko Gvardiol.
By the sounds of things Ait Nouri may be looking for his own revenge on City while at Liverpool next season.