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After succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Arne Slot has evaluated his team in preparation for his debut Premier League season, and Liverpool has not added any new players this summer.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign kicks off in a month when they travel to Portman Road to take on newly promoted Ipswich Town.
For the first time since 2016, the Reds will start 2024–25 with a new manager in Arne Slot, replacing Jurgen Klopp. Starting in early June, the former Feyenoord coach will have to deal with his players’ phased return after Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
Even if Klopp has given his blessing, Slot will still be under a lot of pressure to start out strong as he follows in his footsteps. Prior to the season, Slot will be seeing his players for the first time, so he needs to make a good first impression and spell out his game plan.
The Reds still haven’t signed their new manager’s first summer acquisition. In the next weeks, Michael Edwards and Julian Ward will be hard at work trying to reverse that circumstance so Liverpool can get off to a strong start to the season. Mirror Football looks at what might be in store for Slot and his team going forward.
Pre-season fixtures
27. July: Liverpool v Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium, in Pittsburgh (00:30)
1 August: Liverpool v Arsenal, at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia (00:30)
4 August: Liverpool v Manchester United, at Brice Stadium, in Columbia (00:30)
11 August: Liverpool v Sevilla, Anfield (15:00)
Contractual judgements It is hard to argue that Klopp’s exit does not signal the start of a new era at Liverpool. After his predecessor’s retirement, Slot has been left in a strong position, however it’s unclear if a form of makeover will be necessary.
Three of the most important players in Liverpool’s recent success—Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk—are currently in their final year of contracts. Getting new contracts for each would facilitate the transfer and stop constant speculation about their fate during Slot’s press briefings.
Alexander-Arnold should not be sold, and new contracts for his more experienced teammates should at least guarantee a future pay for their services. After Liverpool rejected a huge offer for Salah last summer, he has been frequently linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League. The Reds would benefit from solidifying their position.
Transfer
Given Joel Matip’s departure and Van Dijk’s delicate predicament right now, Liverpool needs a new central defender in their lineup. With the availability of Jarrel Quansah and Ibrahima Konate in addition to the adaptable Joe Gomez, it is a strong position in many respects.
It would be wise to include someone like Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace. The Chelsea academy product’s debut may be sluggish, but the Reds can now move on with negotiations in earnest after England and them advanced to the Euro final.
The Reds may potentially try to exercise Dani Olmo’s release clause. The victor of Euro 2024 will also be taking a vacation, but his £50 million contract is rumoured to expire at the end of this week. Working fast could be crucial to bolstering the team’s attacking options in order to defeat Manchester City’s rivals.
Olmo could play in a midfield role or as an offensive player on the left or right, providing versatility throughout Slot’s system. With his share of the Golden Boot trophy won in Germany, the 26-year-old will be fired up to try and make an immediate impact.
Additionally, a defensively inclined midfield player would not hurt. However, Stefan Bajcetic still has the opportunity to stake his claim and join his new boss’s team to back players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Dream XI for the first day
Darwin, Endo, Mac Allister, Alisson, Olmo, Jota, Van Dijk, Guehi, Robertson, and Darwin.
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