Paul Merson sounds transfer warning to Arne Slot after hearing Liverpool rumor

Liverpool has appointed a new head coach, a fresh backroom team and has installed a permanent sporting director in the last few months. One thing it has appeared to have forgotten to do is to sign any new players.

We jest, but there are inevitably some Reds fans who are growing irate at the club’s lack of activity in the market. Only one other Premier League side has yet to make its first signing in this window, and Liverpool supporters aren’t, with respect, worried about whether Fulham signs anyone this summer or not.

But while incomings generate the most interest, outgoings are hugely important too. Some will generate transfer funds but may also weaken the squad by departing. The trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold , Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of 2024/25. Football pundit Paul Merson has expressed concern for new head coach Arne Slot if his fellow Dutchman leaves Liverpool ahead of the new campaign.

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It has been claimed that van Dijk is ‘thinking about quitting’ the Reds . This would be the ‘end of’ Liverpool’s title hopes for the new season, according to Merson.

He was speaking with Jeff Stelling on Football’s Greatest . “The issue might be at the other end of the field where Virgil van Dijk has said he wants time to consider his future at international and club level,” Stelling said. “Now, if they [Liverpool] were to lose Van Dijk, who is in the final year of his contract, that would be a big blow,” he added.

“Oh, end of. End of. Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce of a defender. Phenomenal defender – He’s a Rolls-Royce,” Merson said before making a comparison with his former club Arsenal.

“If Arsenal lost [William] Saliba, who I would probably say was the defender of the tournament [ Euro 2024 ]. I thought he was amazing, I would say no chance. No chance. This is what the manager is up against, just one little thing like that, which is massive, and then all of a sudden, you become a bad manager and he [Mikel Arteta] isn’t a bad manager," Merson added.

Liverpool.com says: While Merson’s assessment of Liverpool’s hopes for Slot’s first season is correct should it lose van Dijk, there has been no indication that it is looking to sell. The Reds waved farewell to Joël Matip at the end of last season and was looking to sign Leny Yoro before Manchester United stepped in . It seems hugely unlikely it would be willing to lose its best center-back, no matter the amount of money offered. At ease, Merse.