Life after Jurgen Klopp has begun for Liverpool.
Fans around the world will get a taste of what Arne Slot will bring to the table as Liverpool prepare for their Premier League opener on Saturday.
The Reds will host newly-promoted Ipswich Town and they begin the season without having signed any new players.
Roy Keane shared his pennies worth on Liverpool‘s transfer window so far and the ‘big factor’ Klopp had when he was at the club.
Many many look towards the German heading for the exit door and how it might affect the team out on the pitch and their results.
But people may have probably underestimated the pull he had as a coach and being able to lure the top players to the club.
That’s probably proven by Martin Zubimendi turning down the chance to join Liverpool and Keane stating that it is a ‘sour’ one for the club to take after he was told about the news.
The Real Sociedad star is at the peak of his powers, he will be 26 in February and he just helped Spain win Euro 2024 at England’s expense.
But Keane expressed how Liverpool wanting to sign Zubimendi probably went on for ‘months’ before he made his call, as he told Stick to Football.
Martin Zubimendi turns down Liverpool
“Surely, a club like Liverpool, and you would like to think all the big clubs, obviously they have hung their hat on this lad, but surely, they have a couple of back-up plans,” said Keane.
“Would players say that? That ‘Klopp was a big factor (in them wanting to join Liverpool)’ Why have the clause in his contract? Who meets the clause? It happens (on Zubimendi saying ‘yes’ and then changing his mind).
“For Liverpool, if they have done all the work, the other side of that if you are Liverpool, you are looking and going, if we agreed the fee, they must have done their homework and got the thumbs up and agreed personal terms. From then to say ’no’. You are like. I bet this deal has gone on for months. It’s a sour one.”
What will Liverpool do after Martin Zubimendi?
Fans were already screaming and kicking that their team hadn’t signed a player yet and you feel that volume would have gone up.
Jamie Carragher thinks Wataru Endo could be a shock Liverpool exit, yet he is probably best placed to play that number six role, even if he hasn’t been used much in pre-season.
But some sort of midfielder needs to be brought in before the transfer window slams shut because if the team start poorly, then the negative noises will be heard.
Carragher has already slammed Gary Neville for his Liverpool and Manchester United prediction, with some already questioning what those on Merseyside will produce this term.
At a minimum, the Reds have to maintain their Champions League spot because many teams are now gunning for those elite spots, with Paul Merson thinking Tottenham are ‘dark horses’ for the top four.