After almost a decade of Jurgen Klopp leading Liverpool to new heights (in modern times), new manager Arne Slot has a big act to follow.
The top-flight giants had been sleeping for far too long before the arrival of Klopp in 2015. They have since picked up all the big titles—Champions League, the FA Cup and, the long-awaited Premier League in 2020.
There was great sadness on Merseyside following the departure of Klopp, and Liverpool fans, though cautiously optimistic, are waiting for their new man to make a move in the market.
Fierce rivals Manchester United have already made waves, and the Red Devils contingent of our SBOTOP team is quite happy.
United have signed the exciting Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, and in the Premier League 2024 news breaking on Friday, the Manchester giants have just signed 18-year-old defender Leny Yoro for Lille for a staggering fee of £59 million.
Ten Hag swooped to snatch the youngster from under the noses of Liverpool, who were keen on the French teenager, who is expected to go all the way to the top of the game.
Slot will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements, but, arguably, the new manager’s most vital work will be keeping some of his biggest stars at the club.
No players have walked in through the Anfield doors at the time of writing, and the new Premier League season will be upon us in the blink of an eye. But the retirement of Thiago and the exit of Joel Matip have left a couple of new gaps in the squad, and the Dutchman will be keen to plug any more leaks.
Captain and centre-back Virgil Van Dijk has recently said he is considering his future for both club and country. The 6-foot-5 defensive colossus is now 33 years of age, and he has just one year left on his contract.
“I haven’t the slightest idea right now. I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player,” he said, after the Oranje’s Euro 2024 exit to England.
Van Dijk is due to return to Anfield but is currently on holiday, and club officials are keen to meet with their captain as soon as he lands.
Rumours have been circulating that wing-back turned midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold could be unsettled, if overtures from Real Madrid get any louder. He, too, is out of contract at the end of next summer.
Currently 25 and club vice-captain, Trent is a key figure in the club’s recent past and potential future. He had a difficult Euro 2024 in a midfield which failed to settle at the group stage.
But he showed all his professionalism and skill in converting a deciding penalty in the Three Lions’ quarter-final shootout against Switzerland.
Trent has been linked with Real Madrid over the past week, and it will be hard to turn Los Blancos’ down if they step up their interest. So, again, Liverpool need to move quickly if they are to avoid losing another senior player.
Then there’s the Egyptian hitman Mo Salah, Liverpool’s striking talisman during the glory years under Klopp. He almost left for the Saudi Pro League last summer, and the Anfield moneymen have work to do to ensure he doesn’t walk away for nothing in 12 months time. But who can replace the great man if he does follow Klopp out of the exit door?
Well, the names that have been tossed around on Merseyside include former Everton forward Anthony Gordon, now at Newcastle United; PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko and Napoli’s Georgian genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
So, while Slot worries about outgoings, he also has work to do on the recruitment side, and he potentially needs bodies from back to front.
On defence, the Reds have been looking for a left-sided centre back, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie would be an ideal candidate. He had a brilliant campaign as Die Werkself stormed to the Bundesliga title in a defence that conceded just 24 goals.
But manager Xabi Alonso, a former Anfield favourite, will want top dollar for the 22-year-old.
In midfield, the departure of Thiago and the previous losses of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson mean Liverpool need experience and leadership.
And one name that has cropped up this week is France midfielder Adrien Rabiot. At 29 years of age, he has been released by Juventus and wants one more big contract, which may be easier to find in England than in Italy.
Liverpool have been alerted but rumours suggest Manchester United are watching Rabiot’s situation too, so Slot will have to be quick if he wants to bring him in.
The Premier League 2024 betting odds back Liverpool to come third this season, but where they actually end up could well depend on who Arne can slot into his starting eleven when the league kicks off in a month.
He’s going to be a busy man.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
