The wait goes on for Liverpool to make its first signing of the summer. With Arne Slot meeting some of his squad for the first time this week, hopefully it won’t be too long before he’s welcoming some new faces to the group .
That’s not to say there hasn’t been work going on behind the scenes to secure some new signings, and the failed move for Anthony Gordon suggests that Slot is having an influence on this summer’s business.
Previous reports have suggested that the Reds’ new head coach wants to bolster his options on the wings, with the recent talks with Gordon certainly backing that up. While those discussions ultimately broke down, the damage may already be done as far as Newcastle is concerned.
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TalkSPORT has claimed the Magpies are planning on offering Gordon a bumper new deal to try and keep him at St James’ Park , but there are suggestions that the England international’s head has already been turned . Not only that, but Liverpool is said to be retaining an interest in the 23-year-old.
Whether the Reds return to the table to try and thrash out a deal again this summer remains to be seen. Ultimately, there isn’t any need to.
Though Slot may see it as a priority, the left wing is an area that doesn’t need tinkering with. Even if Luis Diaz were to depart, Liverpool would still have a resurgent Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota to fill the role.
As pre-season draws into view then, it’s other areas of the squad that should be looked at first of all, and even Slot’s own players would seemingly agree. Just last week, Wataru Endo called for Liverpool to take another look at the midfield .
“I don’t care about those reports, but I also think it would be better to get a No. 6 midfielder,” he said via MSN . “I think there is a possibility that they are viewing Mac Allister as a No. 6, but at the moment there aren’t many No. 6 players to begin with.”
It should tell you everything that the Reds’ most senior defensive midfield option is calling for another signing in that area. It could result in Endo being viewed as second choice, but he clearly knows better than most how valuable a truly world-class No. 6 is.
Liverpool does have other options – Alexis Mac Allister played there various times last season, although there can’t be any doubt that he looked much, much better when playing further forward. Stefan Bajcetic will hopefully become the long-term solution, but after such a long period out injured, patience will be needed with the 19-year-old.
Therefore, it would surely make sense for Liverpool to shelve any plans to revive those talks for Gordon – at least for now – and focus their efforts on finding someone to give some competition to Endo. Slot should certainly know one target he should be looking at.
Not too long ago, the new Liverpool head coach was tipping Mats Wieffer to become the ‘best player in the world’. The 24-year-old had helped Slot and Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup in the two years since he made the move to Rotterdam.
Now, HITC claims Brighton has opened talks over a move to the south coast . If Wieffer truly is destined to become as good as Slot thinks he will be, then Liverpool should absolutely be looking to sneak in and steal him away from under the Seagulls’ noses.
If not, that still shouldn’t distract Slot from what should be one of his top priorities. His own players are calling for it, and it’s up to him and Richard Hughes to deliver.
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