Liverpool's Summer Transfer Debate: Wharton, Barcola, and McTominay

Liverpool’s summer debate is getting louder, and it is coming from some unlikely corners.

MacAnthony: “Sign Wharton and move Mac Allister on”

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, a committed Liverpool fan, has nailed his colours to the mast over how he thinks the Reds should reshape their midfield.

"I'd love them to sign Wharton," he told talkSPORT, pushing hard for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton to be the next big piece in Liverpool’s rebuild.

MacAnthony did not spare Alexis Mac Allister in his assessment of last season.

"I think Alexis Mac Allister, for me, his legs were gone last year. It was only when he put an Argentina shirt on that his legs reappeared."

For MacAnthony, the solution is ruthless but simple: cash in and go younger.

"If you could do business there with him going, I think you bring [Wharton] in and you’ve got a player for the next seven, eight years that will be a starter.

"He's got so much upside and potential in him. Even if he costs £85M-£100M or whatever else, you’re getting the player for the long-term."

A huge fee. A long-term bet. In his eyes, exactly the sort of gamble Liverpool should be taking.

Barcola, Salah’s shadow and Liverpool’s next wide threat

On the flanks, another name is being pushed towards Anfield. Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Bradley Barcola would be close to ideal if Liverpool can get him out of PSG.

"He's played on the left for PSG," Smith said. "He can play on the right, so it's not as if you would earmark him as a like-for-like replacement for Mohamed Salah."

That is the crux of the problem. You do not replace Salah like for like. You try to rewire the attack.

"But it looks like he's going to move if PSG can accept a fee. It seems to be between Liverpool and Arsenal. He's a talented player; we saw that in the World Cup. He'd be a great signing for Liverpool."

Speaking to Liverpool.com on behalf of Best Betting Sites, Smith underlined the scale of the void Salah would leave.

"With Salah going, a like-for-like replacement in terms of goal output is a priority."

Smith then cast his eye beyond Anfield, weighing up how others might deal with that sort of loss.

"But the thing is, with Alexander Isak back fit, Hugo Ekitike is going to be out for a few months, but Isak got himself a goal the other day in pre-season, so he's well capable of getting 20 plus league goals.

"So that might be an answer for them with Salah going. And Florian Wirtz, second season, he can chip in, get well into double figures. But I'd still think that they'll be after a striker or an attacking player."

The message is clear: goals must be replaced, one way or another, and Barcola is one of the names on the table.

Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries and a crowded right flank

At right-back, the landscape has shifted again. With Denzel Dumfries joining Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a season where every minute will be fought for, whether in defence or higher up the pitch.

Reports in Spain have suggested Jose Mourinho could move Alexander-Arnold into midfield, a long-discussed tactical tweak that now feels more plausible. The problem? That area is hardly short of bodies either.

Even so, his quality demands a solution. Liverpool will have to find a role for him. There will be enough minutes somewhere on the pitch; the only question is exactly where he does his damage.

Gerrard’s call that helped swing Van Dijk

Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on the conversation that helped tip Virgil van Dijk towards Liverpool rather than Manchester City back in 2017.

"He phoned me at the time, actually," Gerrard recalled. "I knew his agent really well. It was City, Liverpool."

"He said to me, ‘I haven’t phoned you to sort of push me one way or the other, because I know which way you’re going to push me. But just tell me a little bit about Liverpool?’"

Gerrard did not bother with a sales pitch. He went straight to identity.

"I just said to him, ‘Look, if it’s about what the clubs stand for and what the clubs are about, you’re wasting your time because I think you already know the answer to that.’"

"It was an interesting conversation and I was so happy that he chose us."

The rest of that story has already been written in medals and armbands.

“Gerrard-esque”: McTominay backed for Anfield switch

From another corner of the game, a different kind of midfield recommendation. Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen believes Scott McTominay, now at Napoli, would fit Liverpool’s profile.

"McTominay has Gerrard-esque qualities and would suit Liverpool, he's one of those midfielders that can get you goals, now how many of those midfielders are around today?" he told Tipman Tips.

"He brings physicality, energy, drive, braveness, courage, goals, and makes good box runs."

Meulensteen has been impressed by the way McTominay has handled life after Old Trafford.

"I've been very impressed with him since he left United because that could have easily been the start of his career fizzling out. But with Scott it’s the total opposite, he has bloomed and come to life."

Another name on an already crowded shortlist. Another reminder that Liverpool’s midfield remains a live conversation.

Behind closed doors, the work continues

Away from the transfer noise, the football goes on. Liverpool’s behind-closed-doors clash with Como this weekend has been nudged forward, now kicking off at 11.30am (UK time) instead of midday.

The later game, played in front of supporters, stays at 6pm (UK time). No fans will be allowed in for the first match, but it will be streamed on the club’s official channels.

While the speculation rages about Wharton, Barcola, McTominay and the rest, the squad is already grinding through minutes, systems and auditions. The question now is which of these names being thrown at Anfield will actually be there when the real season starts.