‘Liverpool still need new blood’ – where will Slot strengthen?

Liverpool’s relative stroll towards a 20th title carries a heavy warning signal to the rivals who must now attempt to knock the Premier League crown off their heads next season.

The seamless transition of Arne Slot into Jurgen Klopp’s team, which many thought was impossible, was achieved without much significant improvement of the squad he had inherited.

This demonstrates both the clever strategy he employed to such successful effect and his inheritance from Klopp.

Liverpool signed Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in a deal worth up to £29m last summer in readiness for next season, while the only outfield player to arrive was Juventus winger Federico Chiesa in a £10m move, the Italian proving no more than a peripheral figure.

The platform is still there, but Liverpool will now be in full swing this summer, with their recruitment team well-versed in preparation for heavyweight reinforcements under sporting director Richard Hughes.

Add from a position of strength, as was the old saying at Liverpool, and you can’t get much stronger than the title of Premier League champion.

Alisson Becker, a 32-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper, has a strong reputation as the world’s best. Barring something unforeseen, he will be first choice again next season, with Mamardashvili providing strong competition.

Even Virgil van Dijk’s signing of a new contract may not prevent additions at centre-back, which raises questions in the defense, especially at full-back positions.

With rumors rife that Bournemouth’s left-back Milos Kerkez will succeed him, Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to leave Real Madrid for Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Andrew Robertson is 31.

Former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: “Van Dijk is staying and will be the mainstay, so whether there is an addition depends on Arne Slot’s view on Joe]Gomez] and Jarell Quansah. Because they have only played a small number of minutes this year, I think he wants to add some more time.

Because Virgil will be 34, they will want to find someone who can play a lot of games. If Van Dijk gets injured there is no-one there with anywhere near his presence.

“I’ve heard there are rumors about Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth, a very young talent, but I’d like to see someone develop a little bit further down the line.”

You’ll want to think of Micky van de Ven at Spurs, Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace, and Jarrad Branthwaite at Everton, but the names that come to mind won’t be easy, maybe impossible, to get.

“They are used to the Premier League and all different. Van de Ven has a quick-paced pace, Guehi has physicality, even though he isn’t the biggest, real calmness, and leadership. Branthwaite is a real presence, even though she lacks athleticism.

” If you could guarantee Gomez would be fit you might not use up your budget there. I believe center-half will be looked at because of Van Dijk’s longevity at his age and Ibrahima Konate’s as well.

Liverpool’s top defensive choice is usually left-back, but Conor Bradley’s arrival, age 21, has created what appears to be the ideal right-back replacement for Alexander-Arnold.

Murphy said:” In an ideal world you might want to bring people in for both full-back positions, but if you are looking at a central defender and two full-backs, then you’re going to enter into the forward positions and maybe one extra in midfield, you won’t have the finance to cover all bases.

Murphy adds: “Kerkez from Bournemouth is a really good option. He defends one-on-one, has good feet, and is quick. He is only 21 years old and has a lot of energy. It fits the criteria of Liverpool’s recruitment team measured by ability to progress and become more of an asset. That’s probably going to happen, in my opinion.

The left position would be my top priority if I had to choose full-back. This is not any slight on Andy Robertson, just in terms of strong competition and a future first choice.

Andy hasn’t been at his best in some challenging games where he’s made some mistakes, but I don’t believe he’s capable of doing so.

Liverpool’s top priority for the summer was finding a “# six,” but it was frustrated when Real Sociedad’s Spain Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi rejected a £52 million offer.

Slot pulled off the masterstroke of using fellow Dutchman Ryan Gravenberch in the position to stunning effect.

Murphy thinks this is no longer a problem because it is so stunning.

Murphy said, “I believe there might be a change of tack on this.” If you’re going to go out and spend good money on a holding midfielder he’s going to want to play, and instead of Gravenberch. He has undoubtedly been the Premier League’s best midfielder this season in terms of holding midfield.

Don’t fix something if it’s not broken, you say. I’d be surprised to see him bring someone in there.

Since joining Liverpool in a deal worth up to $85 million from Benfica, Darwin Nunez has spent three full seasons there, but he hasn’t shown that he can deliver the high marksman they need.

The 25-year-old has been pushed to the margins under Slot, who has also made public criticisms of his attitude.

The supporters of Liverpool have always admired Nunez, who works in the “Captain Chaos” style and effort, but it seems like his time is running out.

Murphy once said, “It’s time for a fresh start in attack.” I think Darwin has had a lot of chances. Slot obviously doesn’t like him if you just simplify what we’ve seen in terms of his contribution and minutes played.

Luis Diaz has occasionally been used as a winger before him as a striker, according to Slot. That tells you everything you need to know.

“It would surprise me if Darwin continued.” For him, I believe the writing is on the wall.

According to Murphy, “I think Alexander Isak is probably unrealistic.” And I’m not sure I’d be in that conversation given the fees being discussed. I’m not talking about his quality, just that when you pay such a big part of your budget on one player you almost want a guarantee they will be fit.

“I’m surprised we haven’t heard a lot more about Jonathan David’s free agency at Lille. He appears to have Premier League qualities when you watch him play. He’s strong, quick, a decent finisher and a scoring record of one in two is exactly what you want. He is only 25 years old and has been doing that with Lille for four seasons.

And Mohammed Kudus, a West Ham United player, has another suggestion that is more pertinent.

Manchester City’s collapse from the sky-high standards of four successive Premier League titles and Arsenal’s faltering challenge left the door open for Liverpool.

And Murphy anticipates a strong response from Liverpool’s closest rivals next season despite the daunting prospect of adding more power to a title-winning side.

He added, “This will have been a real jolt and the kick up the backside to the competitors,” adding that they probably didn’t expect Liverpool to do this with their squad.

” I suspect Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola would have been sitting there last summer thinking ‘ I’m glad Liverpool haven’t spent any money’.