Arne Slot and Liverpool have been set for a busy window in the summer transfer and the Reds manager has pointed out in an important area where they can have the upper hand over Premier League rivals
Liverpool -Manager Arne Slot believes that players who have seen the Reds celebrate their title winnings will have a “big attraction” when it comes to deciding whether they will go to Anfield. Slot is not under illusions that new faces are required, despite the fact that his team saving the title with four more games.
Slot won the competition in his first season that was in charge, with a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, making it official, but they should win three of their last four games to match the points reached last year by Manchester City and are certainly a good shortage of the 99 points Livertpool LIVERPOOLTEPOOLS POOTSPOOL's Titleverpool's Titleverining Liverpool Liverpool in 2019-20.
Captain Virgil van Dijk and top scorer Mohamed Salah have signed both contract extensions, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mhandashvili will join Valencia after a deal had been agreed last summer. Van Dijk, however, anticipates a busy summer, and Slot hopes that the joy of Sunday's title celebrations will convince new players that it is also something they want to be part of.
“There are so many things that influence next season,” Slot reporters said prior to Sunday's trip to Chelsea. “Is it an advantage that some teams do not do a Club World Cup? The most important advantage of winning the Premier League is new players
“I have always told them that the fans are special and that was not necessary to tell it, but after Sunday I don't think I should tell someone! That was non-counted! They did not come to the field, many fans of clubs do that and ours stayed in the stands … winning the competition, these fans are absolutely needed for players we want.”
Liverpool is expected to lose Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid this summer, so a new right back may be needed. They will probably also strengthen the entire back line, with Bournemouth couple Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez strongly connected.
“We will concentrate on trying to improve the team and add new players as we can, and when a player leaves because someone comes up with what the club regards as a good offer, we must be ready for those situations, but not with fear,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports. “It is something where all clubs, especially those who are not at the highest level, such as the top, top teams, have to get used to.”
The festive scenes and the support of the fans are not only a potential boost when it comes to new recruits. They can also be factors to convince edge players to get stuck, with Harvey Elliott a good example.
“Hopefully I am still there to be honest,” Elliott told The Echo when discussing uncertainty about his future. “It's the best place to be, the best club to be on and especially the fans around us at the moment, I don't think there is a better place to play.
“Players go through UPS and Downs, but at the end of the day you have to come out and I think it's in myself to let it happen. So hopefully I can stay here for the rest of my career.”