How Liverpool could line up after pulling off ‘dream’ transfers for Bradley Barcola and Adam Wharton

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We could do with Bournemouth losing… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Gareth Copley In midfield, there have been claims that Liverpool want Adam Wharton above all, while reports from France on Sunday suggest that Bradley Barcola is getting closer to Anfield as well.Slot promised Liverpool will be ‘a different team‘ in 2026/27, and the additions of Wharton and Barcola would go some way to ensuring that. But how could the Reds line up under Slot with their two new arrivals?Liverpool could play 4-2-2-2Before Hugo Ekitike’s serious injury in April, there had been suggestions that Liverpool would switch to a 4-2-2-2 formation with Ekitike and Isak playing in front of Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai.Nevertheless, although Ekitike will clearly now miss most of next season, there had already been reports that a new winger would be a priority for the Reds during the summer.

Something doesn’t quite add up.What is perhaps most likely is that Liverpool are after a versatile wide player who could also partner Alexander Isak up front while Ekitike recovers.The signs suggest that this will be Barcola, who could drift from the left, with Isak drifting from the right, and Wirtz and Szoboszlai backing them up through the middle. That looks like a deadly foursome in attack for Liverpool with Ekitike still to come in.

Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Fabrizio Romano explains what’s going on with Andoni Iraola as Liverpool prepare internal Arne Slot reviewWho would partner Wharton in midfield?There are some question marks over Wharton’s suitability to what Liverpool need in midfield right now. Some supporters would prefer to see a little more steel acquired rather than the silk of the Crystal Palace man.Liverpool appear very keen on Wharton regardless of any external doubts, however, and if they do pay the reported £80m fee to sign him, he will go straight into the XI.That is likely to come at the expense of Alexis Mac Allister, who may not leave Liverpool, but is more vulnerable than Ryan Gravenberch, who recently signed a new contract.A midfield two of Wharton and Gravenberch propping up Wirtz and Szoboszlai looks extremely technical, but there would still be some lingering concerns over Liverpool’s physicality in the middle of the pitch.Liverpool potential XI 2026/27Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – provided he signs his new contract – can add that behind, while Milos Kerkez is certain to be the left-back.