Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

As Liverpool approaches the business end of the 2024/25 season, Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on what the club needs to do in the market this summer.

With pivotal contract negotiations, a strategic return to Asian for pre-season, and an ambitious transfer blueprint taking shape, Arne Slot’s side appears poised for a period of significant evolution.

The most pressing issue facing Liverpool’s hierarchy is the contract situation of the three pillars of their recent success.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have deals expiring this summer, creating a potential exodus of world-class talent that would require substantial reinvestment.

The Egyptian’s departure would create an enormous void in Liverpool’s attack that sporting director Richard Hughes will need to address urgently.

A player who has posted 32 goals and 22 assists in 44 games this season is currently what heading out of the exit door as things stand.

Meanwhile, club captain Van Dijk’s future remains uncertain.

At 33, any new deal would likely take him beyond his 34th birthday in July.

But according to Jamie Carragher, there is far more work to be done at Liverpool than merely renewing or replacing the ‘Contract Three.’

Writing in his weekly column for the Telegraph, the Liverpool icon has asserted that the Anfield club needs to make as much as six new signings to build on the success of the likely Premier League capture:

“When a team win the league, you anticipate one or two big signings to keep the juggernaut moving.”

“In all honesty, when looking at Slot’s squad, it feels like he may need as many as six before next summer.

That is a statement you would expect to make about an underperforming team, or one requiring an overhaul.”

“Reinforcements are required independent of whether the big three out-of-contract stars stay,” he explained.

The Sky Sports pundit went on to explain the different positions that he feels needs urgent examining in the summer:

“Liverpool need a left-back to compete with Andy Robertson, extending the Scottish captain’s Anfield career by reducing the necessity for him to play every game,” he wrote

“They need a centre-back to ensure there is no crisis if Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are unavailable.”

“Also a deep central midfielder so that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are not as overburdened next season as they have been in this one.”

“Add to that an attacking midfielder who will score and create more than Dominik Szoboszlai?

And finally, a left winger and centre-forward who can win games as often as Mohamed Salah.”

Last summer’s restrained spending (net £45m outlay) provides Financial Fair Play flexibility, but significant sales are still anticipated.

Caoimhin Kelleher and Darwin Nunez are being touted as the likely option to depart in the summer, and if the club can get good fees for them – the Reds should have a nicely-sized war chest for the summer.

Read More: David Ornstein reveals Liverpool summer midfield plans

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone