Liverpool under Klopp in 2026: How they could line up when boss leaves

Just when Liverpool fans thought life couldn't get any better, Jurgen Klopp announced he had signed a contract extension until 2026.

On Wednesday night, the Reds took another step closer to a historic quadruple by beating Villarreal 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final at Anfield.

Kopites would have woken up on Thursday delighted they have one foot in yet another European final.

But their mood would have increased even more when Klopp had a video message for them announcing he's signed a two-year contract extension.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans have been reacting with sheer joy at the news. Four more years of Klopp at the helm.

Since taking over in October 2015, Klopp has transformed Liverpool from a side that failed to qualify for Europe to arguably the best team in European football.

He's done so in the most exciting and entertaining way imaginable.

We'd hate to put a dampener on things but Klopp will leave the club one day.

But how will Liverpool look when Klopp does eventually leave? Presumably at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Well, we've decided to have a bit of fun and predict how Klopp could leave Liverpool's XI like come 2026.

A lot can happen in four years and, without the use of a crystal ball, there's a very high chance that we're going to be wide of the mark.

But just humour us would you.

GK - Alisson Becker

Alisson will be 33 in 2024 and we're confident he'll still be Liverpool's No.1 by then. He will have been at Anfield for eight seasons if that's the case - more than paying back the £66.8 million transfer fee the Reds splashed out for him in 2018.

RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold

It's scary to think Alexander-Arnold is still only 23-years-old. In four years time, he could be even better. You rarely see a one-club man in modern football but it's going to take something massive to convince Alexander-Arnold to leave his beloved club. Perhaps much later in his career but not before he's 27.

CB - Ibrahima Konate

Konate has had to play second fiddle to Joel Matip to be Virgil van Dijk's partner for much of this season. However, he's played the majority of Champions League matches and hasn't put a foot wrong. He's only 22 now and, in four years' time, will likely be Liverpool's main defender with both Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk being 34.

CB - Sven Botman

It's extremely tough to leave Van Dijk out of this XI but, given the fact he'll be 34 and there's always the chance the Dutchman will look for a new challenge before he retires, we're going to throw Botman's name out there. Botman is also a Dutch defender and is currently playing for Lyon. However, reports suggest he will be moving to AC Milan this summer for around £30 million. If he impresses in Italy, Botman will attract the attention of European giants. A left-footed ball playing Dutchman playing alongside Konate just seems right.

LB - Andy Robertson

Robertson will be 32 by 2026 but we can't imagine the Scot slowing down too much. If Konstantinos Tsimikas is still at the club, he'll be 29 and no doubt pushing Robertson hard for a starting berth.

CM - Aurelien Tchouameni

There have actually been a lot of reports linking the Monaco midfielder with a move to Liverpool recently. And while that may not come to fruition this summer, the Frenchman is certainly a player we can see at Anfield. The 22-year-old would play more of a defensive midfield role with Fabinho turning 32 by 2026.

CM - Jude Bellingham

Again, this prediction is based on genuine transfer rumours than us plucking a random name out of thin air. Bellingham has also been linked with a move to Liverpool recently and would still only be 22 in four years' time.

The Mirror's David Maddock name-dropped both Tchouameni and Bellingham as players 'very much' on Klopp's radar.

CM - Fabio Carvalho

Liverpool are yet to officially announce the deal to sign the 19-year-old from Fulham. However, it seems it's simply a case of crossing the i's and dotting the t's. Having seen what he's capable of in the Championship, we back him to be good enough to play first-team football at Liverpool next season.

RW - Harvey Elliott

It's easy to forget that Elliott had a spell starting in Liverpool's midfield this season. His horror injury against Leeds slowed him down somewhat but there's no doubt Klopp rates the 19-year-old extremely highly. He'll be in and around this Liverpool squad in years to come - whether it's in midfield or right-wing. Mohamed Salah will be 33 and could well still be around - but we think he may have looked for a new challenge by then.

LW - Luis Diaz

Can you name a player who has hit the ground running quite as incredibly as Diaz has at Liverpool? You probably can't because the Colombian looks as though he's been a Red for many, many years. He'll still only be 29 in 2026. Incidentally, Sadio Mane will be 34.

ST - Diogo Jota

Jota will also be 29 in 2026 and the start of his Liverpool career hasn't been bad, either. The Portuguese has scored 34 goals in 76 appearances since signing from Wolves in 2020.

Full XI

Would Liverpool take that XI in four years' time? Yeah, we reckon they will.

Okay, if you compare that to this current XI and it may look a little underwhelming. But you have to consider the improvement of all of these players in the next four years.

Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Botman, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Carvalho and Elliott are some of the most exciting youngsters in world football right now. In four years' time, they could all be world-class.

Add that to current stars such as Alisson, Robertson, Diaz and Jota and you've got yourself a very balanced and impressive line-up.

We've got about 0.001% chance of calling Liverpool's exact XI come 2026 but you can't deny it's a fantastic team.