Arne Slot has just had his first interview with Liverpool and the new manager is optimistic that the club’s top-level performances won’t see a dip next season.
Speaking to the club’s website in his first interview, Slot has said[as quoted]: “There is a change. But the change hopefully isn’t that big, because we still have the same players.
“We still have the same fans. And if both are going to do the same job, that will make my life a lot more easy.
“I’m expecting them to show up again in the upcoming season. The same for the players. I will do everything in my interest and power to lead the team in the best possible way.”
Arne Slot has pretty big shoes to fill at Liverpool but if he wants to have a competitive side from day one, the new boss will have to make sure that he makes all the right transfer decisions during this transfer window.
Amidst so much media chatter, we decided to take a look at some of the decisions that could define how Liverpool play for the next couple of seasons.
Holding on Mo Salah and Van Dijk:
There’s no doubt that the new Liverpool manager will be backed by several new signings, most of whom will be favourites of Arne Slot but the manager just cannot afford to let Mo Salah and Van Dijk slip away.
Salah and VVD both are out of contract in 2025 and both of them have been linked with Saudi clubs. Many think with less than one year remaining, Liverpool should look to cash in on the pair but they just cannot afford to lose them.
Mo Salah and Van Dijk have been two of the best signings under Jurgen Klopp and they still have a lot to offer. Yes, Liverpool will most likely bag more than €150 million from their combined sales but the Anfield outfit do not need any major funds right now.
One of the biggest works for Arne Slot will be to convince the pair to put pen on paper to new and improved deals.
Liverpool need to hold onto Trent and Luis Diaz:
Trent Alexander-Arnold is another top player whose contract expires next year and he has been linked with Real Madrid this summer. The right-back has seen a slight dip in form which has raised some voices against him but the reality is that it will take a fortune to bring in a world-class right-back and Liverpool just do not have unnecessary money to spend right now.
Luis Diaz’s dream is to play for Barcelona someday and there have been rumours that the winger wants to leave Liverpool and move to Camp Nou this summer itself. Despite having players like Jota and Gakpo, Arne Slot cannot lose Diaz however we don’t think the club’s management won’t be too worried about the Colombian international because Barca will struggle to pay any major transfer fee.
There’s no doubt that in terms of age, Van Dijk and Mo Salah are on the wrong side of their professional career while TAA’s shoulders have drooped somewhat but Arne Slot will need experienced players in his squad to ensure a smooth transition next season. In an ideal scenario, Slot will want to hold onto as many players as possible to see who can fit into his plans and then at the end of the 24/25 season, the Liverpool manager can decide whom to dump.
