It's been a topsy-turvy few weeks for Liverpool - and, in truth, a topsy-turvy season. Periods of strong form have been punctuated by frustrating slumps, with the reigning Premier League champions already suffering nine league defeats this term.

Last week's 2-1 loss to bottom club Wolves dealt a blow to Liverpool's hopes of clawing their way back into the top four, although the Reds exacted a little revenge by knocking the West Midlands side out of the FA Cup a few days later.

With a successful defence of their Premier League title now all but out of reach, focus is beginning to shift toward the summer and how the Anfield club might strengthen ahead of next season. After spending more than £400million on new recruits last summer, however, another blockbuster spending spree seems unlikely.

Even so, with several key players underperforming and others approaching the end of their contracts, significant - and potentially expensive - change could still be on the horizon. Here, Mirror Football rounds up the latest Liverpool-related headlines.

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'Ready to pay record fee' for winger

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to break the bank in order to sign Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. The Spain international, 23, is one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, with the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Chelsea also eyeing up a move.

Williams signed a mammoth 10-year contract in Bilbao last year, seemingly ending hopes among potential suitors of prising him away. However, the deal includes a release clause that is reportedly set to rise to €100m (£86.5m) this summer - which would be a club-record fee for his current club.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are willing to meet that asking price to bring Williams to Anfield. While the Spaniard would not be a like-for-like replacement for Salah - who operates on the right while Williams prefers the left - his arrival could help soften the goalscoring and star-power void.

Salah's Liverpool contract doesn't expire until 2027, but given his disappointing recent form, and his mid-season falling out with manager Arne Slot, an end-of-season departure appears to be a possibility once again, particularly with Saudi Pro Leagueclubs lurking.

Alternative from rivals named

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski could be an ideal replacement for Mo Salah. The Sweden international, 25, has yet to feature this season after suffering a serious knee injury last May, but he recorded 10 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances for Spurs during the 2024/25 campaign.

Johnson compared Kulusevski's ability to "glide" past defenders to Salah's and suggested Liverpool could potentially sign him at a reduced price this summer, with Tottenham currently hovering near the relegation zone.

"Dejan Kulusevski a replacement for Mohamed Salah? Potentially. You know, you've seen him sort of glide past them like they're not moving," he told BOYLE Sports. "He definitely has that ability that can create something out of nothing.

"That skill, you can't teach that. So he's definitely got ability. If they were to go down, and he was available on the cheap, then yeah, you could understand why someone would take a risk and why not Liverpool."

Kulusevski joined Tottenham from Juventus in January 2022, initially on loan, before making the move permanent in 2023. Spurs had originally targeted Luis Diaz, who was playing for Porto at the time, but turned to Kulusevski after Liverpool hijacked their move for the Colombian.