Arne Slot has been confirmed as Liverpool’s next manager, with the Dutchman leaving Feyenoord to fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes at Anfield.
Klopp’s glorious reign on Merseyside did not end the way Liverpool fans would have liked, with a miserable April seeing their Premier League title hopes dashed.
Desperate at a crucial time, Liverpool have perhaps shown that they are still in a state of transition, somehow able to beat Manchester City and Arsenal in a difficult Premier League season.
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The slot takes an exciting but potentially dangerous time, with a number of big decisions to be made in his first summer at the helm.
Here, we run through the most pressing tasks in anticipation of Slot when he arrives in England.
Go up to rebuild the platform
Klopp got Liverpool’s midfield rebuilt last summer, realizing – perhaps a year too late – that it was time for Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner to move on.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo have come in, but there is still a feeling that something is missing from the Reds’ engine room.
Szoboszlai has looked the real deal at the start of 2023-24 and appears to be a perfect fit for the vertical passing style Slot expects to have alongside him.
Mac Allister, on the other hand, has been the most impressive player in Liverpool’s midfield, but defending the back four is not a strong point for the player who played 10 and eight for Brighton and Hove Albion and Argentina.
Macca steps up to open the scoring 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/XGKeVL1K38
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2024
Signing a quality defensive midfielder – or an up-and-comer who can grow into that role – should be on Slot’s checklist, with a lack of control characterizing Liverpool’s performances this season. Klopp’s Reds made a habit of fighting back but could not control what City and Arsenal showed when it mattered most.
Expect to see more of Trent Alexander-Arnold coming into midfield under the slot, and pairing him with a top-class enforcer could free him up to tear apart opposition defences. Fulham’s Joao Palhinha has been suggested before and could be targeted again.
Solve Salah’s problem
Even before Mohamed Salah was involved in a high-profile altercation with Klopp during April’s 2-2 draw with West Ham, speculation was rife about his future.
While all indications are that Salah will remain at Anfield for the final year of his contract, possibly with a view to extension, Slot must find a way to reduce Liverpool’s reliance on him.
Salah took his Premier League goal tally to 14 on New Year’s Day as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 4-2, and has since managed four more goals this campaign, a trip to the Africa Cup of Nations and a serious hamstring injury. pressure.
2⃣5⃣0⃣ appearance of the Reds in @Premierleague 👏 pic.twitter.com/oB9miCeqqN
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2024
Arguably one of Liverpool’s all-time greats, Salah is always brilliant. However, with the Egypt captain turning 32 in June, whether he can rebuild an attack that hasn’t looked the same since Sadio Mane’s departure in 2022 is questionable.
Even if Salah rejects interest from Saudi Pro League clubs to commit his medium-term future to Liverpool, he needs help – and Slot must find a way to rebalance the flawed frontline.
Make a decision about Nunez
If any of Liverpool’s attackers can be described as flawed, it’s Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay international’s style and penchant for the unexpected made him an instant hit with the Anfield crowd, but is that really what Liverpool need?
Standing between Liverpool and the pinnacle of English football are Pep Guardiola’s machine-like City team and an Arsenal side built in their image, both images of excellence.
Nunez has his strengths; his value on the pressing side is clear, he can play as a number nine or from the left side and is physically suited to the rough-and-tumble of the Premier League.
[🟢] NEW: Slot noted the amazing qualities of Darwin Nunez and considered him one of the many players he enjoys working with.
[@_ChrisBascombe] pic.twitter.com/TjUcBL8wqt– Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) May 20, 2024
However, his finishing hasn’t improved in his two years with the team, and it’s doubtful it ever will. Nunez missed 27 big chances in the Premier League in 2023-24 – second only to Haaland (34), who saw him drop more.
Liverpool won’t recoup anywhere near the £85 million they paid Nunez last year in 2022, so we’re not suggesting they drop him entirely. However, we doubt he can be the main man, so a new number nine is needed.
Get followers on the side
There has never been any doubt about Klopp’s connection with the Liverpool fanbase. From the time of his appointment in 2015, he just seemed to get it.
In English football terms, the pressure to succeed at Liverpool is perhaps on par with that surrounding Manchester United.
The Reds have always thought they were different, and their managers are expected to quickly understand the history of the city and the ‘us against the world’ mentality that pervades it.
Being a strong communicator who is not afraid to show emotion – good or bad – has helped Klopp quickly gain favor at Anfield. Conversely, Erik ten Hag’s struggles in this area haven’t really helped him control the noise at Old Trafford.
If Slot makes a good connection with Liverpool fans, he will be rewarded for his patience. A good start to his reign will certainly help, as will a memorable night or two at Anfield.
