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

Liverpool’s summer debate is gathering volume, and the loudest voices are coming from some familiar football figures.

MacAnthony’s Wharton plea – and a jab at Mac Allister’s engine

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, a committed Liverpool supporter, has nailed his colours to one transfer mast: Adam Wharton.

"I'd love them to sign Wharton," he told talkSPORT, before turning the spotlight on Alexis Mac Allister’s 2023/24 campaign. "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."

MacAnthony pushed the idea of a midfield refresh built around the Crystal Palace man, even if it meant a big exit to fund it.

"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 bold valuation. An even bolder suggestion about Mac Allister’s future.

Barcola, Salah and Liverpool’s attacking puzzle

Out wide, the conversation turns to life after Mohamed Salah. Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Bradley Barcola could be a smart piece of that rebuild.

"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.

"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 task once Salah departs.

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

Then came an intriguing twist. Smith floated names who could help shoulder that goalscoring burden, even if they are not at Anfield.

"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: replacing Salah’s numbers will take more than one signing and more than one idea.

Alexander-Arnold, Dumfries and a fight for the right

At the back, another storyline is brewing. With Denzel Dumfries joining Real Madrid, the right-back landscape at the top of European football has shifted again, and Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a season of scrutiny and competition.

Reports in Spain have suggested Jose Mourinho could move Alexander-Arnold into midfield. That area is already crowded, yet the feeling around the club is simple: he is too good to leave out.

Wherever he lines up, the expectation is that he will play. A lot. The minutes will be there; the question is which zone of the pitch he ends up calling home.

Gerrard’s phone call that shaped an era

Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on a phone call that helped steer one of Liverpool’s most important modern signings.

Back in 2017, as Virgil van Dijk weighed up a move, the choice had narrowed to two: Manchester City or Liverpool.

"He phoned me at the time, actually," Gerrard revealed. "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’s answer cut straight to the heart of the decision.

"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 is history: a defensive leader at the core of a Champions League and Premier League-winning side, nudged towards Anfield by its greatest modern captain.

Meulensteen’s surprise shout: McTominay for Liverpool

Another former United figure has thrown a very different name into Liverpool’s midfield debate. Rene Meulensteen believes Scott McTominay, now at Napoli, would be a strong fit.

"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 praised the way McTominay has responded to leaving 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."

Wharton, McTominay, Barcola – three very different profiles, all being linked to the same evolving Liverpool side.

Behind closed doors, but not off the radar

Away from the transfer noise, Liverpool’s preparations continue. The club’s behind-closed-doors clash with Como this weekend has been nudged forward by 30 minutes.

The first game of the day will now kick off at 11.30am (UK time), instead of midday. No fans will be in the ground, but the match will be shown on official club channels. The later fixture, which will be played in front of supporters, remains a 6pm (UK time) start.

Quiet surroundings, early kick-off, cameras rolling. For a squad under reconstruction, these hidden minutes could end up shaping who actually delivers on all this talk when the real season starts.