Arne Slot has been confirmed as Liverpool’s subsequent supervisor, with the Dutchman leaving Feyenoord to fill Jurgen Klopp’s sizeable footwear at Anfield.
Klopp’s glittering reign on Merseyside didn’t fairly finish the way in which Liverpool’s supporters would have needed, with a depressing April seeing their Premier League title hopes slip away.
Operating out of steam on the very important second, Liverpool maybe confirmed they continue to be in a state of transition, a way away from with the ability to finest Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal by a gruelling Premier League season.
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Slot takes over at an thrilling however doubtlessly hazardous time, with loads of massive selections to be made throughout his first summer season on the helm.
Right here, we run by essentially the most urgent duties awaiting Slot when he arrives in England.
Step up midfield rebuild
Klopp obtained Liverpool’s midfield rebuild underway final summer season, recognising – maybe a yr too late – that it was time for Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner to maneuver on.
In got here Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo, however there’s nonetheless a nagging sense that one thing is lacking within the Reds’ engine room.
Szoboszlai regarded the true deal early on in 2023-24 and appears well-suited to the vertical type of passing Slot expects from his aspect.
Mac Allister, in the meantime, has certainly been essentially the most spectacular of Liverpool’s midfield recruits, however defending the again 4 shouldn’t be the sturdy level of a participant who has performed as a ten and an eight for Brighton and Hove Albion and Argentina.
Macca rises to open the scoring 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/XGKeVL1K38
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) Could 19, 2024
Signing a really elite defensive midfielder – or an up-and-coming prospect able to rising into that position – ought to be on Slot’s guidelines, with a scarcity of management characterising Liverpool’s matches this season. Klopp’s Reds made a behavior of preventing again from behind however weren’t able to the management displayed by Metropolis and Arsenal when it mattered most.
Anticipate to see extra of Trent Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield beneath Slot, and pairing him with a top-class enforcer might free him as much as decide aside opposition defences. Fulham’s Joao Palhinha was beforehand mooted and could possibly be focused once more.
Resolve the Salah downside
Even earlier than Mohamed Salah was concerned in a high-profile bust-up with Klopp throughout April’s 2-2 draw with West Ham, hypothesis had been rife concerning his future.
Whereas all of the noises point out Salah will stay at Anfield for the ultimate yr of his contract, doubtlessly with the view to penning an extension, Slot should discover a method of lessening Liverpool’s reliance on him.
Salah took his purpose tally for the Premier League season to 14 on New Yr’s Day as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 4-2, then managed simply 4 additional targets for the marketing campaign, a visit to the Africa Cup of Nations and a hard hamstring damage halting his momentum.
2⃣5⃣0⃣ appearances for the Reds within the @premierleague 👏 pic.twitter.com/oB9miCeqqN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) Could 19, 2024
Undoubtedly one among Liverpool’s all-time greats, Salah stays able to sheer brilliance. Nonetheless, with the Egypt captain turning 32 in June, whether or not he can carry an assault which hasn’t regarded the identical since Sadio Mane’s 2022 exit is questionable.
Even when Salah rejects curiosity from Saudi Professional League golf equipment to commit his medium-term future to Liverpool, he wants assist – and Slot should discover a option to rebalance a flawed frontline.
Decide on Nunez
If any of Liverpool’s attackers may be described as flawed, it’s Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay worldwide’s all-action type and tendency to do the surprising made him an immediate hit with the Anfield plenty, however is that basically what Liverpool want?
Standing between Liverpool and the summit of English soccer are Pep Guardiola’s machine-like Metropolis workforce and an Arsenal aspect constructed of their picture, each footage of effectivity.
Nunez has his strengths; his worth to a high-pressing aspect is obvious, he can play both as a quantity 9 or from the left flank and he’s bodily suited to the rough-and-tumble of the Premier League.
[🟢] NEW: Slot famous Darwin Nunez’s extraordinary attributes and name-checked him as one of many many gamers he’s excited to work with.
[@_ChrisBascombe] pic.twitter.com/TjUcBL8wqt
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) Could 20, 2024
Nonetheless, his ending merely hasn’t improved in his two years with the membership, and it’s uncertain if it ever will. Nunez missed 27 massive probabilities within the Premier League in 2023-24 – second solely to Haaland (34), who noticed way more fall his method.
Liverpool received’t recoup anyplace close to the £85 million they paid for Nunez final yr in 2022, so we’re not suggesting they completely surrender on him. Nonetheless, we doubt whether or not he can ever be the principle man, so a brand new quantity 9 is required.
Get the followers onside
There was by no means any doubt concerning Klopp’s reference to the Liverpool fanbase. From the second of his 2015 appointment, he simply appeared to get it.
In English soccer phrases, the stress to succeed at Liverpool is probably solely matched by that surrounding Manchester United.
The Reds have at all times considered themselves as completely different, and their managers are virtually anticipated to have a direct grasp of the town’s historical past and the ‘us versus the world’ mentality that pervades there.
Being a powerful communicator unafraid of exhibiting emotion – for higher or for worse – helped Klopp win fast favour at Anfield. Against this, Erik ten Hag’s struggles on this space haven’t precisely helped him maintain management of the noise at Outdated Trafford.
If Slot forges a optimistic reference to Liverpool’s followers, he shall be rewarded with persistence. A optimistic begin to his reign will surely assist, as would a memorable Anfield evening or two.
