Liverpool fans might have expected a busy summer in the transfer market as the club enters a new era. It hasn’t panned out that way so far though .
Arne Slot is taking charge of his new side for the first time in a game today, with the Reds taking on Preston North End in a behind-closed-doors game. The likes of Mohamed Salah , Dominik Szobobszlai and Andy Robertson could be involved after returning for pre-season training.
There won’t be any new faces involved though, with no new signings thus far – and it sounds as though there won’t be any for a while.
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According to the ECHO, Liverpool is more likely to do business later in the window in order to give Slot a chance to assess his squad properly. A number of players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold , Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister , are yet to report back for training after being involved in the latter stages of Euro 2024 and the Copa America.
That chimes with what sporting director Richard Hughes suggested at his first press conference earlier this month, although it doesn’t stop supporters from growing frustrated at the lack of transfers coming in.
Any impatience won’t have been helped by events in recent weeks. First, there were the talks over a move for Anthony Gordon that broke down when Newcastle wanted Jarell Quansah in return. The right decision was made there, although it did leave supporters expecting more.
They wouldn’t have been thrilled then when they saw Leny Yoro putting pen to paper while wearing Manchester United gear . Having pursued the young defender earlier in the summer, the Reds had backed away in the assumption that he was heading to Real Madrid, only to see him arriving at Old Trafford.
The hunger for signings is growing, but Liverpool fans look as though they will be left starving for a little longer. FSG though aren’t generally known for changing their direction, and Jurgen Klopp ’s words may well be ringing in their heads.
"We've said it a few times that the future does not look too bad but maybe the people don’t forget it when the transfer window opens,” Klopp said after an FA Cup win over Southampton in February, just days after the club’s youngsters had inspired the Reds to victory in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
“We have a couple of pretty promising players already, so don’t close the door for them with 12 signings.”
Twelve was always going to be a stretch, but Klopp’s point would have been valid had he reduced that figure to just two or three. Liverpool’s youngsters played a huge role in getting the club back winning silverware and qualifying for the Champions League , and are deserving of a chance to stake their claim.
With some of the Reds’ bigger names still a few weeks away, the likes of Quansah, Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark and others will get their opportunity to make an impression on their new head coach. They’ll no doubt be called upon for games against Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United as Liverpool heads Stateside.
It will be up to them to show Slot and Hughes just how much business needs to be done for the remainder of the summer. For now though, Klopp’s words look as though they will be heeded.
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