In what turned out to be Jurgen’s Klopp, Liverpool’s beloved manager, last year at the helm of the team, the Reds ended up having what must be considered a disappointing season. Or, to be more precise, disappointing end of the season. Liverpool was, in fact, still competing for both the Premier League and the Europa League trophy in April. Klopp had already announced his plan to leave the club after the season, and it seemed to have a positive effect on the team. Then something broke: the Reds suffered a harsh defeat at Anfield, against Atalanta, on the 14th of April, in the Europa League quarter-finals, and then lost to Crystal Palace, leaving behind points of ultimate importance in the tight race for the Premier League trophy against Arsenal and Manchester City.
All in all, Liverpool finished third, behind an Arsenal team that would have finished first if not for the basically perfect season that Manchester City played. They also were kicked out of Europa League by a surprisingly good Atalanta team, which ended up winning the trophy, beating one of the best, if not the best, team in football last season: Bayer Leverkusen. And, it is important to note, they won the League Cup. Still, considering how they were playing up until April, it’s hard not to see why fans might be at least a little bit disappointed. Now it’s time for the transfer market, and for Liverpool to mould its team according to the new manager’s, dutchman Arne Slot, desires.
As of now, most Liverpool transfer news have been focused on the necessity of a defender. Given the uncertainty regarding Virgil Van Dijk immediate future – news broke that he held talks with a Saudi Club. It seems that Liverpool wants to be prepared, either to fill the void that he could leave in the backfield, or to assess what is set to be a future necessity. As of now the most insistent talks have been related to Lille young, talented centre-back Leny Yoro. The eighteen year old is set to leave LOSC Lille, seeking an advancement in his football career. Easier said than done, since Real Madrid and PSG also have their eyes set upon one of the most talented young defenders of the last few years. As of now, the team has offered 42 million pounds to Lille, hoping to secure his services. Besides Yoro, there has been news of the interest Liverpool showed for young standout Italian defender, Riccardo Calafiori. Young, even if not as young as Yoro, Calafiori was one of the pillars of an outstanding Bologna team that reached the Champions League for the first time in more than fifty years, and showed flashes of greatness in Italy’s first game at Euro 2024 against Albania.
The summer is set to be a fun one, considering how many players Liverpool seems to be interested in: fans surely will have their hands full, trying to keep up with all the transfer news. The manager change will bring upon a new course for Liverpool, which is set to be exciting to say the least. As much as proper, played football is interesting, it isn’t bad for Liverpool supporters to have such an opportunity to spend the summer while still following their favourite team, even if not while it’s playing. Looking into transfer news might be compared with playing online casino, given its fun and uncertain vibe. Let’s take Kvicha Kvaratskhelia as an example: he played a wonderful first season at Napoli, winning the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years with them, and reaching the Champions League quarter finals. Then, last season, his playing level seemed to drop. Was it because of a bad, unorganised, Napoli team? Has he been a one season wonder? Would he fit well in Arne Slot’s system, and would he be at ease playing in such a legendary stadium as Anfield is?
To all those questions, we can’t have a definite answer, until a player eventually makes the official move to Anfield, and then starts playing for the Reds. What is certain is that the team has its strength, and even if it came short on certain objectives last season, has a lot to offer. The foundation is there. It is Arne Slot’s and Liverpool management’s duty to make the best out of it, surrounding it with the right pieces for another successful season. With the huge number of games played in modern football, a whole season is draining. It is important to add fresh forces, and to keep the psychological leader of the team in place. Under such circumstances, Arne Slot’s system will have all the necessary time to flourish, and Liverpool will be able to keep its spot at the very top of English football.
