Arne Slot is slowly preparing for the new Premier League season and looking to showcase to the world what he can produce on the big stage.
But his preparations aren’t as slow as Liverpool’s transfer business so far.
Euro 2024 and Copa America did just conclude, so you can argue that was a bit of a distraction, but the club do need to get a move on now.
Nearly every big team is getting some sort of deal over the line.
Arsenal have agreed in principle with Bologna for Riccardo Calafiori, sources have told HITC, as Mikel Arteta adds to the best defence in the Premier League last season.
Chelsea have made five signings, Aston Villa have also made several, including the incoming transfer of Amadou Onana from Everton.
Tottenham secured the transfer of Archie Gray, with West Ham even paying big money for Max Kilman from Wolves and INEOS giving Manchester United a crucial edge in the Leny Yoro deal.
But it’s all quiet on the Liverpool front, not even anyone leaving, and that’s where the problems might just begin for Slot.
Yes, names have been linked, but there are those within who have been tipped to leave, which would probably make you feel sorry for the new manager.
You have heard about Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid. The talk around Mohamed Salah and Saudi Arabia has gone quiet, so fans can breathe easy there.
But now Virgil van Dijk’s future is in doubt and Merson is pretty worried for Slot if his fellow Dutchman leaves.
Van Dijk broke his social media silence following the Netherlands’ defeat to England at Euro 2024, and he has now questioned his club and international future.
Merson made it clear that if van Dijk heads for the exit door, then it’s ‘end of’ for Liverpool, in terms of challenging next season, as he told Football’s Greatest.
The former double-winner at Arsenal used William Saliba as an example and how van Dijk is a ‘Rolls-Royce’ of a footballer.
Virgil van Dijk’s future at Liverpool
“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,” mentioned Jeff Stelling. “Now, if they were to lose Van Dijk, who is in the final year of his contract, that would be a big blow.”
Merson then warned: “Oh, end of. End of. Rolls-Royce. Rolls-Royce of a defender. Phenomenal defender – He’s a Rolls-Royce. If he left.
“If Arsenal lost Saliba, who I would probably say was the defender of the tournament (at 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 isn’t a bad manager.”
Liverpool need centre-backs
It would be crazy for Liverpool to even allow van Dijk to leave because who stays at the club is going to be more important than who leaves.
Keep everyone on board, including Salah, then Slot and everyone else can breathe easy.
That’s when you sign the much-needed players and you feel a centre-half is needed this summer.
Are Liverpool really going to go for the old partnership of van Dijk and Joe Gomez again? When are they going to move on?!
Fans should get excited with Jarell Quansah, but he is only 21 and Ibrahima Konata is top quality on his day, but can he stay out of the treatment room?!
It’s not exactly all clear for Slot, so it’s time for Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to step up!