Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has opened up about the club's transfer strategy, Joe Gomez's future, and the contract issue surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold during an interview in the United States.
With less than a month left in the transfer window, Liverpool remains the only Premier League team yet to make any new signings.
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Restructuring and transfer market approach by Arne Slot
Liverpool's lack of transfer activity can be traced back to significant internal changes following Jurgen Klopp's departure at the end of last season. Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has taken a cautious approach to restructuring, appointing Michael Edwards as the 'CEO of football' and Richard Hughes as the new sporting director. This careful overhaul has led to a more deliberate approach in the transfer market.
Slot emphasized the importance of assessing the current squad before making any major decisions. Slot said:
"I am focused on the tour, how we played, what we need to improve, and what we did well. The bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players."
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Defensive midfield and key player futures
One area of debate for Liverpool has been the defensive midfield role. Past pursuits of Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, and Romeo Lavia ended in disappointment.
Instead, Liverpool signed Wataru Endo from Stuttgart for £16 million, but speculation about the need for a top-class defensive midfielder persists.
Slot highlighted Ryan Gravenberch's performance in the recent pre-season match against Manchester United as a positive sign.
The futures of key players like Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also under scrutiny. Newcastle United's interest in Gomez and the contract situation of Alexander-Arnold, who has yet to sit down with Slot, add to the complexity of Liverpool's transfer window.
Slot addressed the speculation around Gomez, stating:
"On Tuesday he is back with us and I spoke to him just after the Euros. He is one of our squad players."
Regarding Alexander-Arnold, Slot remained optimistic about his commitment. Slot said
"We only spoke about the way I wanted him to play and how he could fit in that style. I can't wait to see him train."
The road ahead for Liverpool
With Liverpool's pre-season tour nearing its end, the focus shifts to finalizing the squad before the Premier League kick-off against Ipswich Town on August 17. Slot remains calm amid the relentless transfer speculation and is confident in the depth and quality of his squad. Slot concluded by saying:
"We have a good platform to build from and not just because of this tour, Jurgen left this squad in a very good place. Now it is up to us to keep performing like Liverpool did for so many years."
As the transfer window draws to a close, Liverpool fans will be eagerly watching to see if any new signings will bolster the team before the season begins.
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