by kazza » Wed Jul 03, 2024 9:34 am
So, what would you do if you were in the shoes of Reds head honchos Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes this summer? Here's what we've come up with:
Contract conundrums
So before we do anything in the transfer market there are quite clearly three pressing issues to be addressed, namely the contract situations around Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who all have just a year left on their deals. They are arguably Liverpool's three best players, and we're not giving Slot the easiest possible start by letting things drift like this.
As club captain, Van Dijk can surely be persuaded to sign a one or two year extension to his current deal. He'll be 33 next week but still has plenty of time left at the top. Salah, who turned 32 two weeks ago, is a bit of a different case, but at such a time of flux there's no need to get rid of him. I'd see if he wants to sign an extension but if not then it isn't the end of the world. He can leave on his own terms next summer as one of Liverpool's all-time greats and everyone can shake hands.
Alexander-Arnold, at just 25, is obviously a different story. His contract talks are likely being tied to his two elder team-mates, as he and his people will want to see what money they end up on before any deal is agreed. It'll get over the line eventually though. He loves the club and the city and will be Liverpool captain one day.
Saying goodbye
Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara both bade farewell to Liverpool along with Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season, but there will have to be more exits from the squad as it is fine tuned for Slot.
Third-choice goalkeeper Adrian is out of contract and wants to move back to Spain, but the expected exit of Caoimhin Kelleher should only happen if there's a big offer. The Irishman does deserve to establish himself as a No.1, but he's still young for a goalkeeper and Alisson does pick up injuries. With an expanded Champions League there will be more games than ever for Liverpool in the new season, so he shouldn't just be sold for the sake of it.
At the back it is probably time for Kostas Tsimikas to be moved on after four years as deputy to Andy Robertson. The Greek should fetch a decent amount of money, while there are obvious exits for Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams. Sepp van den Berg is an interesting case and is probably a player Slot wants to look at before allowing to leave, but ultimately it might also be best to let him go.
In midfield, while Liverpool aren't one of the clubs in danger of breaching any Profitability and Sustainability Rules they will still want to keep on top of them. That's why the sale of Tyler Morton could appeal after he impressed on loan at Hull. Fabio Carvalho was on Humberside for the second half of the season too, and while Slot will probably want a look at him it is difficult to see where he gets into the team.
In attack there doesn't really need to be any drastic sales, although Ben Doak could benefit from a year out on loan, especially now Kaide Gordon has returned to fitness.
Incomings
Right now for the fun part. Obviously a new third-choice goalkeeper will be needed with Adrian gone, but as long as they are preferably homegrown to help comply with Premier League rules then it isn't all that important who it is.
In defence there are clearly a couple of big moves that can be made, and we'll start with a deal for Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri, who can alternate with Robertson at left-back and provide a different outlet going forward.
Another centre-back is also going to be needed, and Liverpool have a long standing interest in Sporting Lisbon's left-sided Goncalo Inacio. With him, Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah as centre-back options, plus the versatile Joe Gomez able to play anywhere across the back and Conor Bradley and Alexander-Arnold for right-back, the defence is pretty set.
In midfield, many would have you believe that Liverpool need to sign a No.6, but if Slot is to play the 4-2-3-1 we saw at Feyenoord then maybe they don't. Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, Stefan Bajcetic, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold and perhaps Bobby Clark and James McConnell, if they're not loaned out, can all play in one of the two midfield positions, and if there isn't an obvious and available upgrade then so be it.
The fact there are the three players behind the one attacker then opens up the idea that the Reds could go for a new winger.
Slot's approach could often see four of the club's five current established attackers on the pitch at any one time, while there's also Harvey Elliott who can play on the right or in the centre.
With the amount of games played, energy expended and with five subs available then another big hitter could be added, and that is where talk of a deal for Anthony Gordon is fascinating. Newcastle's PSR issues could force them to sell, and a Liverpool swoop for the Scouser - and former Everton player - would be huge in more ways than one.
