Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has agreed to replace Jurgen Klopp as the next Liverpool coach. It’s high time for the Premier League club to focus on rebuilding its squad for the next season. The Reds are currently fighting for the English top flight with slim chances of finishing on top, given Arsenal and Manchester City’s dominance in the league standings.
Arne Slot is said to be equipped with all the necessary tools to re-establish the Reds at the top of European and English football. With a few key figures on the departure list and the defense in shatters, the English club is poised to go hunting for some important names in the market despite the difficulty in signing them. Here at Sportsdunia, we have listed three players whom Slot and Liverpool should sign this summer to boost morale following a disastrous European campaign and a leaky domestic performance.
Three Players Liverpool Should Sign This Summer
Goncalo Inacio (Center-back)
Liverpool should ramp up their interest in Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, especially given the constant injuries to the club’s center-backs. With only Virgil Van Dijk standing as a stalwart at the back due to the unavailability of players like Joel Matip and Konate, Klopp has struggled to find a long-term partner for the Dutch defender, hindering the formation of a formidable defensive partnership week in and week out.
Despite Klopp facing questions about the injuries to key defenders leading to defensive woes in crucial games, the German has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the need for signing a new center-back. However, Arne Slot should now be prepared to open the checkbook this summer to bolster Liverpool’s defensive department. With Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold featuring on the right, Inacio would be a valuable addition to the backline.
The Portuguese international has already impressed in the Primeira Liga for Sporting CP, keeping five clean sheets and scoring three goals across all competitions. The 23-year-old center-back boasts an impressive ball recovery rate, averaging one tackle per match, and has recorded a 57% success rate in duels this season.
Given Liverpool’s struggles due to inconsistency in the defensive position, investing in the young promising defender, who has been on their radar for some time now, would be wise. Inacio would be an exceptional acquisition for Liverpool and Slot if they manage to trigger his release clause of €60 million this summer.
Rodrygo Goes (Forward)
The young Real Madrid attacker, Rodrygo Goes, is currently enjoying the season of his life, having led his team to the Champions League final twice in three years. He would be the perfect candidate for Slot, especially considering Slot’s preference for goals from cut-backs. Slot will be inheriting a talented crop in this regard, with Mohamed Salah being one of the best at executing them, Luis Diaz as a typical winger, and Cody Gakpo having found success out wide for the Netherlands.
Amidst questions about Salah’s future at Anfield, Slot would undoubtedly seek a player with enough firepower to lead the team’s attack. Alongside Diaz, Rodrygo would thrive as a winger.
The only question remaining is his availability, as the player’s current contract ties him to Real Madrid until 2028. However, according to Cadena Ser, the rumored arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Santiago Bernabeu might provide an opportunity for Liverpool to lure the Brazilian this summer. Based on market prices, acquiring the Real Madrid forward might cost around $110 million, assuming both the Spanish outfit and the player are open to negotiations. But if he is available, Slot should spare no effort in closing the deal. Rodrygo would be a welcome addition to any football team on the planet.
Assuming Salah stays for another season, the Brazilian will bring plenty of goals for Slot alongside the Egyptian, as he will no longer be the only player tasked with scoring every matchday. The 23-year-old winger has already claimed 5 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League alone this season.
Alan Varela (Midfielder)
Liverpool have been linked with Porto midfielder Alan Varela for a potential transfer for over three years. With Arne Slot looking to reshape the squad before the new season kicks off, Varela would be an impressive addition to Liverpool’s scattered midfield.
Their star player in the middle, Thiago Alcantara, has missed almost the entire season due to groin and ankle injuries. In his absence, Klopp has relied on the likes of Curtis Jones, Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield. However, they have struggled to deliver on big occasions and failed to control the tempo of games.
Liverpool’s midfield has been the weakest among the top five teams in the Premier League this season. Without a notable defensive midfielder, the Reds have often been caught off guard during opponents’ counter-attacks.
If Liverpool manages to bring Varela to Anfield this season, then Slot won’t have to worry about this situation anymore. The Reds are reportedly in formal talks with Porto over a possible transfer deal this summer. The Argentine has a €70 million release clause in his contract. Liverpool should break the bank and sign the 22-year-old defensive midfielder, who is currently being scouted by other top European teams. The player has recorded 2 goals and 3 assists for Porto this season in the Primeira Liga.
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