Vladimir Smicer has urged Liverpool to pursue Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali as the Reds weigh a summer rebuild after a mixed transfer window. With Alexander Isak yet to hit full stride following fitness setbacks, Smicer argues Liverpool must be surgical in midfield recruitment — Champions League qualification will determine how ambitious they can be.
Smicer urges Liverpool to target Sandro Tonali as midfield priority
Vladimir Smicer believes Liverpool should prioritise Sandro Tonali as they plan a summer rebuild, arguing the Italy international would be a "big improvement" to a midfield that still needs clarity. Smicer warned that last summer's heavy recruitment created disruption and insists any new arrivals must address obvious weaknesses rather than add numbers.
Why Tonali makes sense
Tonali, signed by Newcastle from AC Milan for around £52m in 2023, has been highlighted as the kind of profile Liverpool lack: a composed, ball-carrying midfielder capable of dictating tempo and providing defensive balance. Smicer pointed to Liverpool's current central options — Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai — and suggested Tonali would bolster versatility and resilience in the middle of the park.
Context: last summer's spending and the Isak saga
Liverpool's big summer recruitment followed a title-winning season under Arne Slot, a period that Smicer says saw too many changes for seamless integration. Alexander Isak's £125m move from Newcastle was a headline signing but injuries and the missed pre-season have blunted his first campaign. Smicer remains bullish on Isak's long-term prospects, arguing that greater continuity and fitness should unlock more of his potential.
Squad stability and contract picture
Midfield stability will hinge on contract decisions. Gravenberch has committed long-term, while Szoboszlai discussions remain on the agenda. Mac Allister has time left on his deal but no talks are public, and Curtis Jones enters his final 12 months. Those situations shape whether Liverpool must buy a marquee midfielder or can refresh around existing assets.
What Smicer's view means for Liverpool’s transfer strategy
Smicer advocates a focused approach: identify the weakest positions and spend on the best possible solutions, even at a premium. That counsel carries weight given Liverpool's recent recruitment pitfalls — targeted quality over volume would mitigate the disruption that followed last season's overhaul. Champions League qualification will be decisive for the budget and ambition of any summer window.
The forward line and Isak's outlook
Despite a stuttering debut season, Smicer backs Isak and fellow signing Hugo Ekitike (once fit) as core elements of Liverpool's attack going forward. The expectation is that players who missed pre-season or suffered early setbacks will perform better with a full campaign behind them and a clearer understanding of Liverpool's culture and demands.
Immediate implications: the run-in and Champions League stakes
Liverpool travel to Manchester United with Champions League qualification potentially in their hands; securing a top-four finish would materially affect summer planning. A positive result would increase transfer firepower and the likelihood of pursuing high-cost additions like Tonali. Conversely, failure to secure Europe would force a more conservative, surgical approach.
Outlook: surgical recruitment or another overhaul?
Smicer's message is both a warning and a blueprint: avoid repeating last summer's scattergun approach and invest where the team is weakest. For Liverpool, the choice this summer is clear — back a decisive, quality-first transfer strategy that complements the existing core, or risk another disruptive window that hampers cohesion.
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The next few weeks on the pitch will largely determine which path the club can realistically take.
Liverpool Echo
