News on transfers involving Liverpool, as the Reds need to work hard before their opening weekend trip to Portman Road
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk look set to play key roles under Arne Slot at Liverpool (Image: Paul Ellis)
In just over five weeks, when Liverpool and Arne Slot begin their 2024–25 Premier League season at Ipswich Town, a new era will begin at Anfield.
The Reds, who will be managed by a new manager for the first time since October 2015, will aim to begin the new campaign in the best possible way with two kind games before taking on Manchester United at the beginning of September.
On Saturday, August 17, Slot’s team will visit recently promoted Ipswich in what may be a warm welcome for the Dutchman. The Reds have four preseason matches and a tonne of transfer business to finish up before heading to Portman Road.
Although the Reds have lost Adrian, Thiago Alcantara, and Joel Matip, they have not yet signed anyone throughout this transfer window. Although business has been modest thus far, the recently established Merseyside recruitment team is working extremely hard behind the scenes to sign the appropriate people.
For Liverpool this summer, establishing a structure and tactical orientation under the new management group is arguably the top priority. Many have observed how Slot plays from Feyenoord and have assumed that his new group of players will adopt his style of play.
Slot will be able to implement his ideas in the preseason matches against Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla. Signing players who suit the system puts us at number two on the list.
Many players have been linked to deals to Anfield since the appointment was revealed. With Matip’s departure, finding a new center-back has become the top priority. Leny Yoro, a standout for Lille, was mentioned in connection with a move, but it seems like Real Madrid and Manchester United have made it a two-horse race.
The next step will be to make sure that Virgil van Dijk, the club captain, has the finest defensive partner to go with him, since he has already expressed his delight about working under Slot. Jarrell Quansah and Ibrahima Konate are the two contenders for that position, but the Reds might be better prepared for the upcoming campaign if they recruit a top-tier centre back.
They are also deficient in midfield as a result of Thiago’s departure. Due to the difficulty in finding classic box-to-box midfielders at a reasonable price, Liverpool will have to pay a premium to acquire one. Luckily for Slot, he doesn’t need much help in the offensive department—his biggest challenge is choose which trio he wants.
Under the new head coach, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo will all compete for the starting lineup. All but Salah have performed admirably for their countries at Copa America and Euro 2024, but it’s uncertain where Slot will take his front line going ahead because the Egypt international has always seemed to be the first name on the teamsheet in previous years.
There is a lot of transfer stuff that needs to happen between now and the Suffolk trip. With several acquisitions between now and the start of the new season, the Reds’ roster will undoubtedly look very different.
