Arne Slot &#8211; CaughtOffside

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Watch: Arne Slot smiles while hearing YNWA for the first time at Anfield

YNWA ? pic.twitter.com/1DnDCEQAoJ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 11, 2024

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Reassuring Liverpool transfer update as no sign of key Arne Slot player leaving

Mark Brus — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 07:08:12 +0000

Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a reassuring Liverpool update as he says there’s not currently anything happening with Virgil van Dijk and a possible move away from Anfield.

There has been some speculation over Van Dijk’s future in recent times, but the experienced Netherlands international does not seem to have a move on the horizon for the moment, with Romano also expressing his view that the 33-year-old should stay as he’ll likely be an important part of Arne Slot’s plans.

Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest Daily Briefing column, Romano moved to calm speculation about Van Dijk, insisting he’s not hearing any news at all on any potential exit this summer.

Romano is possibly the most well-connected transfer journalists in the industry, so if he’s not aware of anything happening with Van Dijk, then it most likely means LFC fans can relax about this story for the time being.

Van Dijk transfer: Reassuring Liverpool news from Romano

Virgil van Dijk with Liverpool

“There is no news at all on Virgil van Dijk, despite some stories at various points this summer,” Romano said.

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“It’s currently very quiet as Liverpool are counting on Van Dijk and there are no significant updates so far. In my opinion, he should stay and continue as he’s a key player for Liverpool and new manager Arne Slot will need him and the quality and experience he brings.”

It’s mostly been a quiet summer for Liverpool so far, but Romano did also provide some updates on the potential signing of Martin Zubimendi and Fabio Carvalho’s imminent departure to Brentford.

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Liverpool line up move to sign 28-year-old Palace man

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 11:13:31 +0000

It’s been relatively quiet on the transfer front for Liverpool this summer, but that could potentially be as a result of Arne Slot taking a look around his squad before deciding which areas need to be improved.

The Dutchman has now had a few weeks to get to grips with what he already has in situ, and it would appear that he’s still not happy with his central defensive options.

At times during the 2023/24 season, the Reds were found wanting defensively, and with Joachim Andersen producing a powerhouse performance for Crystal Palace at Anfield in their 1-0 win over Liverpool, it’s no wonder that Slot is considering the giant Dane as the potential successor to Virgil van Dijk.

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Brazilian outlet, Trivela, also note that a swap deal between Andersen and Joe Gomez may be something that suits all parties.

Given that Slot won’t want any defensive upheaval in the first few games of his first season in the English top-flight, the quicker any deal can be agreed, the better.

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Arne Slot unimpressed with star’s poor training levels; Liverpool future now in doubt

Andrew Walker — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 18:35:18 +0000

Ibrahima Konate is facing an uncertain future at Liverpool amid reports Arne Slot has major concerns about the defender.

Joining from RB Leipzig three years ago for a reported £36 million fee, Konate, 25, was expected to succeed Virgil Van Dijk as the Reds’ main centre-back. Things haven’t quite gone as the Frenchman would have hoped though.

Starting in just half of Liverpool’s Premier League games (17) for the past two seasons, Konate failed to become Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice centre-back, and now Slot also has concerns of his own.

Arne Slot not keen Ibrahima Konate

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Slot “doesn’t fancy” the 25-year-old amid questions surrounding his injury record, and performance levels, both in-game and in training.

Ibrahima Konate in action for Liverpool.

The outlet’s latest report suggests Konate’s Anfield future is now under threat, and while a transfer may not materialise this summer, the centre-back could find his playing time reduced even further.

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Liverpool’s number five has featured in just one pre-season friendly — the Reds’ 3-0 win over Manchester United — but saw his performance criticised by some fans on social media.

Nevertheless, with just two years left on his deal, the upcoming season feels like it could determine whether or not the 25-year-old remains a Liverpool player beyond his current contract.

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Arne Slot happy to keep £25m Liverpool talent as six Bundesliga clubs monitor situation

Darren Looney — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 17:10:09 +0000

Liverpool’s coaching staff have been impressed with the performances of Sepp van den Berg throughout pre-season and are happy to keep the defender amid interest from six Bundesliga clubs.

The centre-back has been linked with a move back to Germany all summer having spent last season on loan with Mainz 05.

That interest has not slowed down with Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg, Mainz, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen all showing some level of eagerness to sign Van den Berg ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, reports Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

The journalist states that some clubs have made concrete offers to Liverpool for the 22-year-old but they were all rejected as the Premier League club hold out for £20m/£25m for the Dutch talent.

Mainz remain keen on securing another loan deal for the centre-back but Liverpool will likely only entertain permanent transfers. Arne Slot was impressed with Van den Berg throughout the Reds’ pre-season preparations and is happy to keep the Dutch star at Anfield for the 2024/25 campaign.

There has been no final decision made on the defender’s future and according to Plettenberg, it remains open ahead of the new season kicking off next week.

Sepp van den Berg in pre-season action for Liverpool

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Liverpool should keep Sepp van den Berg for another season

With Joel Matip departing Liverpool at the end of last season, this leaves a role for Van den Berg to occupy throughout the upcoming campaign and the Dutch star should be given the chance to prove himself at Anfield after a solid pre-season for the Reds.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate will likely start as Slot’s two centre-backs but having spent the entire pre-season with Liverpool’s new coach, that gives Van den Berg an advantage over the duo and Joe Gomez.

The 22-year-old remaining at Anfield also saves the Merseyside club from having to buy a new central defender, which makes keeping the Dutch star around a smart decision.

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“Big decisions have to be made” – Former CEO questions the futures of two huge Liverpool stars

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:55:38 +0000

Arne Slot has enjoyed a decent opening to his tenure at Liverpool, with the Reds having to be satisfied with how they’ve performed in pre-season.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, those results are often incidental and it’s what matters once the first whistle goes in the Premier League season.

With respect, aside from an away fixture at Man United, Slot’s opening five games – that also includes matches against Ipswich Town, Bournemouth, Brentford and Nottingham Forest – should see the Dutchman off to a flying start at Anfield.

Liverpool potentially have some tough decisions to make

Taking any opponent lightly will be a recipe for disaster, though the professionalism that Slot’s squad have already shown would suggest that won’t form part of their thinking.

One area where the management and recruitment teams do need to concentrate is with regards to transfers.

??? Liverpool remain confident to sign Martín Zubimendi, with talks ongoing as reported earlier today.

There’s still work to do but #LFC on it. https://t.co/FCmDeLYOgN

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2024

CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, has indicated that the Reds are going to push for the signing of Real Sociedad’s brilliant midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, however, the futures of captain, Virgil van Dijk and keeper, Alisson Becker, may be of more interest to supporters.

“I still think that with Van Dijk and Alisson, there are two question marks that may stay unresolved for the next few weeks,” former Everton CEO, Keith Wyness said on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.

“It’s been very quiet at Anfield over the summer and they’ve gotten away with it with the new manager coming in – but the scrutiny is going to be really on them right now.

“The spotlight will be shining to see what’s going to happen now in August, and some big decisions have to be made.”

Were the Reds to lose both their captain and main custodian at this late stage of the transfer window, it could prove incredibly problematic for Liverpool’s start to the campaign.

Finding players of equal ability and at a price considered acceptable with three weeks of the window to go isn’t impossible, but it will be difficult.

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Fabrizio Romano’s overnight update will have Liverpool fans eating out of the palm of his hand

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 03:57:38 +0000

Up to this point, things have been very quiet on the transfer front this summer for Liverpool Football Club.

The Arne Slot era got underway in an understated manner, with the Dutchman and his staff going about their business in a professional manner, seemingly preferring to give themselves a few weeks to see what they already had in situ in terms of playing staff before tinkering in certain positions.

That way of working may not have pleased an Anfield faithful desperate for some new faces about the place, but the new man in charge has to be allowed to work as he sees fit, and trusted in the same way that Jurgen Klopp was.

Positive news for Liverpool on Zubimendi

Success will take time, of that there’s little doubt, but the club appear to be close to a sensational signing which should allay supporter fears that the club aren’t going in the right direction.

News that the club were interested in Real Sociedad’s Spain international, Martin Zubimendi, a long-term Arsenal target, came out of the blue, but some overnight news from CaughtOffside columnist and transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, should have Reds fans jumping for joy.

??? Liverpool remain confident to sign Martín Zubimendi, with talks ongoing as reported earlier today.

There’s still work to do but #LFC on it. https://t.co/FCmDeLYOgN

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2024

Romano, posting on X (formerly Twitter), noted that Liverpool ‘remain confident’ of landing their man.

That type of language wouldn’t generally be used in a public forum by reporters unless they’ve been briefed that a particular transfer has a decent chance of getting over the line.

Given how well Zubimendi has played for Real Sociedad and Spain for the past few seasons, Liverpool will be getting themselves and accomplished and experienced midfielder who will certainly improve that area of the pitch.

La Real’s expected loss is very much Liverpool’s gain.

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Liverpool legend believes Arne Slot has found the new Coutinho

CJ — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:21:43 +0000

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes Arne Slot has the new Coutinho on his hands.

The Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp this summer and has enjoyed an excellent first pre-season at the club, beating Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United during the Reds’ US tour.

That’s despite heading stateside without a number of key players resting due to extended recovery periods from summer international tournaments, such as Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez.

In their absence, Slot has played several young players and one who has been a particular driving force for his side is Fabio Carvalho.

Carvalho joined Liverpool from Fulham in the summer of 2022 but has since made just 21 senior competitive appearances for the club, scoring three goals.

The Portugal youth international has instead enjoyed more opportunities out on loan, first at RB Leipzig, then at Hull City for the second half of last season — notching nine goals and two assists in the latter spell.

Is Carvalho the new Coutinho?

Liverpool’s Portuguese midfielder #28 Fabio Carvalho runs with the ball during the pre-season club friendly football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, August 3, 2024.

Now 21 years old, Carvalho — who can play as an attacking midfielder or on the wings — will be hoping to cement his place in the Liverpool squad under Slot this season.

If his pre-season form has been anything to go by, he should have no problem doing that, scoring against both Arsenal and Manchester United, while clocking up 203 minutes so far.

Carvalho certainly caught Thompson’s attention, and he even compared him to ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

“Carvalho scored two goals in the last [two games], against Arsenal, against Man United and he’s a very clever footballer, likes to get between the lines,” Thompson told talkSPORT.

“I know he’s a bit lightweight, but he’s very much like Coutinho and he can deliver.”

Liverpool’s final friendly comes against Sevilla at Anfield on Sunday before they travel to newly-promoted Ipswich Town in their opening fixture of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

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Liverpool ace’s future under threat despite Slot’s recent praise

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:37:52 +0000

Liverpool have enjoyed a reasonable pre-season under Arne Slot, having beaten both Arsenal and Man United on their tour of the United States.

There should arguably be enough positives already for the Dutchman to take away from those matches, and he has one more fixture – against Sevilla on August 11 – before he makes his first Premier League selection.

Though there will be names from the Jurgen Klopp era that will still be a shoo-in for Slot’s starting XI, it’s arguable that one or two places might be up for grabs.

Arne Slot zeroing in on new signing for Liverpool

A new manager can often wipe the slate clean too, and give every member of the squad a fresh start, so it’s effectively every man for himself in terms of jostling for position and being foremost in the manager’s thoughts.

Given that the Reds have been one of the quieter teams in the this summer’s transfer window too, it’s entirely possible that Slot has left things until now to give himself time to understand what he has in front of him in terms of squad depth, and where he would like to improve.

Ryan Gravenberch’s Liverpool career is under threat despite Arne Slot’s praise

For Ryan Gravenberch, who has done well in the US, the game could soon be up.

‘Despite Slot praising Gravenberch’s performance in the friendly against Manchester United, Liverpool have now identified a target in that position,’ David Ornstein wrote in The Athletic (subscription required).

‘It is worth keeping an eye on that situation this week, with Liverpool pursuing a specialist No 6 from outside of the Premier League. They have turned down bids for Endo this summer, in part because of the tricky market in that position, but are now moving ahead with a signing for that role.’

Slot’s way of working has certainly kept the first team on its toes, and as long as his players don’t compare that with his predecessor, and move forward as one, there’s every chance that success will follow.

If new players are soon added too, that adds an extra element of competition for those already in situ – exactly what every manager would surely profess to wanting given the chance.

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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided much needed update on new signings

Ahad Shaukat — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:14:48 +0000

Liverpool are the only Premier League team not to make a new signing this summer.

The Reds have appointed manager Arne Slot after the departure of Jurgen Klopp, which remains their only arrival at Anfield this summer.

They have lost experienced players in Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara and Adrian but none of them have been replaced with new players.

Slot has started working with the players and he is impressed with the quality that the Reds have currently at the club.

The Liverpool boss has once again made it clear that it is not easy to sign new players and they will only go ahead with a signing if they can improve the quality of their squad.

Slot stated that Richard Hughes is working hard on bringing the best players to Anfield and he is constantly in touch with the sporting director.

The Liverpool boss said, as quoted by the Daily Mail:

‘I notice that you are focused a lot on new signings! I am focused on the tour, how we played, what we need to improve and what we did well. Like I said, the bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is hoping to make some new signings.

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