Liverpool may be Premier League champions in waiting, but that is not set to stop Arne Slot from showing the door to a number of players this summer as he reportedly gets ruthless.
Liverpool transfer news
Out of all the clubs in need of a clear-out this summer, it seemed unlikely that the side sitting top of the Premier League would get a mention. Yet, as the transfer window approaches, it looks as though Slot has seen enough in the case of several players who sit outside of his strongest line-up. Planning a summer overhaul, the Dutchman could officially stamp his own mark on the Reds in what should be a frightening prospect for the rest of European football.
It wouldn’t be the first time that those at Anfield decided to sell before they buy either. In fact, they famously used the big-money sale of Philippe Coutinho to build the squad which went on to write themselves in the Liverpool history books under Jurgen Klopp.
Now, at the beginning of a new era with a number of assets seemingly heading for the exit door, the Reds could cash in to hand Slot the same opportunity that was sent Klopp’s way many moons ago.
According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool could now sell as many as five players this summer on a combined salary of £390,000-a-week, which would reduce their wage bill and free up plenty of room for improved reinforcements.
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The players in question at threat of being moved on are Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo and Federico Chiesa in five departures which would likely get mixed reactions from those at Anfield.
Liverpool planning summer overhaul
For the likes of Kelleher and Chiesa, summer moves certainly make sense. With Giorgi Mamardashvili arriving and Alisson Becker staying put, Kelleher could fall even further down the pecking order, and he has already made his plans to become a starter no secret. Chiesa, meanwhile, has struggled for game time since arriving last summer.
The same can’t be said for Endo, Jota and Elliott, however. Starting with Endo, the Japan international’s brief cameos have become the recognised symbol for the finishing line in Merseyside, with his assured, duel-winning strength becoming more and more important as the season has progressed.
Elliott, meanwhile, represents the future of Liverpool’s frontline. Already an experienced player despite being just 21 years old, the winger handed Slot a timely reminder of his quality when he scored a last-gasp winner with his first touch from the bench against Paris Saint-Germain in the Reds’ first-leg battle.
The case of Jota can be argued either way. At his best, the forward is one of the most clinical players at Slot’s disposal but his own injury history has stood in his own way at times. With Darwin Nunez’s future already in doubt, however, questions could be asked about whether Liverpool can afford to lose two strikers in one summer.
So, although Slot will be keen to mark his stamp on his side once and for all, Liverpool should act with caution before beginning to dismantle what is likely to be a title-winning side.
