Arne Slot is targetting his defence as the key area of his first major transfer rebuild as the Dutchman gets set to bid farewell to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The former Feyenoord manager only had this season to coach the Scouser but is now getting ready to replace him in what makes the start of a new era in some way.
It’s a pity that a year following Jurgen Klopp’s departure that another key member of Liverpool’s revival is heading out the door as well but the club is well known for their knack for improving when key figures leave.
Now, a new report details exactly what Arne Slot is planning in terms of new signings as the Dutch tactician plans how best to defend his first Premier League title.
Defence wins championships and Arne Slot is taking this to heart
Getting van Dijk’s contract extended for another two years was the important bit.
Arsenal have technically conceded fewer goals this season but given Mikel Arteta seems to place a much larger emphasis on low-block defence, it’s difficult to compare Liverpool’s defence to theirs.
While not as scarily high as Spurs or even Barcelona’s high line, Liverpool have continued to set their defence high up the pitch under Slot but this may change depending on who Liverpool sign in defence.
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are prioriting signing a centre-back, left-back and a right back this summer over signings further afield.
At centre-back, the Reds have been very strongly linked with Dean Huijsen, Jorrel Hato and Marc Guehi.
At left-back, Milos Kerkez seems the favourite to replace Kostas Tsimikas although Antonee Robinson is also a target.
Meanwhile, at right back, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has been increasingly linked with a move to Anfield over the last 10 days although his suitability to playing right back in the Premier League remains up for debate.
Where else does Slot seem likely to invest?
While it’s rarely done at Anfield, I think Slot could make as many as five signings. Six if you include a deal to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili which you should given the Reds only start paying for the deal this summer.
But with Darwin Nunez likely leaving too, the Reds need at least one attacker while a midfield signing seems prudent as it remains to be seen what Harvey Elliott plans are.
The dream would be to see Alexander-Isak signed and take care of the defence upgrades and call it there. Of course, that means spending starts – at a minimum – somwhere between £100m and £150m.
More than likely not going to happen but he’s one of those players that you just know takes Liverpool into a new stratosphere in an attacking sense regardless of what other issues exist.
Slot will also be on the lookout for an attacking superstar to inherit the mantle from Mo Salah in two years’ time.
We can dream for now but with the transfer window opening on the 10th of June, we will soon see what Liverpool actually do.
