Slot to Remain - Rebuild Part 2 This Summer

Arne Slot, is set to remain at the club for the 26/27 season, despite an inconsistent campaign littered with disappointing results and performances. Reports suggest he is to be given several reinforcements to add to his squad, with the belief that he is the best man for the job. Looking at how his second season has gone on Merseyside, there is no surprise that fans will head into the new season with unshakable caution and worry. 

We take a look at the additions Slot may make to recover from the rocky Premier League title defence.

Faith in Slot by FSG

The reports that manager Arne Slot is backed by the Liverpool board and will remain in his position for the beginning of the next campaign may have come as a shock to the majority of the fanbase. The Reds will end the current campaign trophyless, and with each passing gameweek, a feeling of enough is enough grows within fans. Many have become disgruntled and restless with the current state of the team; however, it’s clear that feeling isn’t shared by those at the top of the club. 

Reliable journalist David Ornstein stated in the last few days that “FSG, the ownership, the sporting hierarchy at Liverpool intend to stick with Arne Slot, even if there’s no Champions League football”. Only alluding to the possibility of different conversations if Liverpool lose all of their remaining matches. This has been reinforced by multiple reports over the last few months, suggesting the possibility of a sacking is not on the minds of those in charge, as they hope the Dutchman can still succeed.

Credit: Liverpool FC

Liverpool's CEO, Billy Hogan, was also previously pictured on the sideline with Arne Slot at the recent Premier League home game against Fulham. The two looked in a cheerful mood while in conversation, indicating a strong relationship remains. In his pre-match conference for the Fulham game, Slot felt determined to point out that he “feels a lot of support, not only from the owners, but also from Richard (Hughes) and Michael (Edwards) as well”. He ended the topic with a clear statement, “The club knows the period of time we are in, and in the meantime, I feel complete support”.

With all that being taken into account, I think the fans will have to come to terms with the fact that it is far more likely he will remain than be relieved from his duties. This comes despite what has been on show this year, and bizarrely, even if the Champions League isn’t secured, a must for Liverpool Football Club. The question around the overall ambition of the club then does begin to creep silently up, with the hierarchy balancing along the fine line of stubbornness. There seems to be a sense among the fanbase that the hierarchy is refusing to believe they made the wrong appointment, citing evidence of the Premier League title win last season and the extensive work put into the appointment, with sporting director Richard Hughes reportedly creating a 60-page dossier on why the former Feyenoord boss was the right man for the job. While it’s appreciated that the effort that went into the decision was grand, and the reward for that was evident last year, it shouldn’t lead to a reluctance to accept that it’s no longer working, leading to second chances that come rarely when working for one of the best clubs in the world. 

Credit: MSN

Other top clubs around the world in similar situations have acted with ruthlessness. Real Madrid began the season with Xabi Alonso in the role of manager, but after a patchy run of form from the Spanish side that culminated in a defeat to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish SuperCup, he was let go by the club. Even though they sat second in LaLiga at the time, only a point behind Barcelona, he failed to hit the high standards required. Fellow Premier League rivals, Chelsea, also pulled the trigger on a mid-season sacking, disappointed with how the season was panning out under the guidance of Enzo Maresca. While both of these scenarios came with extras like a breakdown in the relationship with the hierarchy and player management issues, the point remains that when standards are below par, these top clubs have acted. By no means am I suggesting that Liverpool should start being run like Chelsea, but I find it important to point out that Liverpool must approach and deal with these situations like the big club they are, remembering the expectation from fans and the historic ambition of the club.

Supporters' Concern

Credit: This is Anfield

A season plagued with inconsistent performances and results has left an unsavoury taste in the supporters' mouths. The issues on show after an early rough patch in the season have hardly been remedied. Worries such as team cohesion were put down to a shake-up of the squad, with various changes to first-team players. However, as we sit here with a little over a month before the end of the season, that issue still appears to be a problem, suggesting it’s more than players needing to get to know each other. Pressing has appeared half-hearted and poorly organised, resulting in teams easily building up to capitalise on gaps over the pitch. Defending has been naive and, at times, disastrous, with a clean sheet becoming something of a rare item this season. The team have lacked the ability to see out games and hold onto results, and chemistry at the top end of the pitch has been devoid of real sharpness and wit. Despite being clear issues all season, these issues continue to hinder progress. 

Issues can even be backdated to before the start of the 25/26 campaign. At the tail end of the last season, most notably after the loss on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool subtly began to show signs of vulnerability and inconsistency. Since then, of course, Liverpool won the Premier League, but worryingly for Arne Slot, the team’s win rate dropped. In the 62 games since, Arne Slot’s side have won 31, drawn 9, and lost 22, giving him a 50% win percentage. This season, Liverpool is now just one defeat away from equalling their record of the most defeats in a single season, which sits at 19. Externally, this is unacceptable, but internally, there seems to be an acceptance that, due to injuries and bad luck, it’s an understandable outcome. While that can play a part, the stats show this is more than unfortunate injuries and bad luck. The ship hasn’t been steadied, and the manager has failed to address the core problems that have been visible for over a year. 

A manager must deal with what’s in front of him. They have to show signs of understanding the issue and provide evidence of attempting to remedy it. Being comically consistently inconsistent signifies that any attempt to rectify the situation hasn’t worked. I struggle to see any change or difference in approach, and when performances play out in a similar fashion week in week out, I question whether anything is being done to change. When the first run of bad form came about, time was given to the manager to sort it out, and he hasn’t. This understandably leaves the fans concluding that if the manager hasn’t shown signs of fixing the issues, then when will he ever?

Summer 2026 - Another Chance

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David Ornstein revealed that the club understands “they need more players”, claiming, “I think there are four or five starting positions that Liverpool will feel they still need to work on as part of the project”. With the season going how it has, it’s no surprise that a busy summer is in store for the Reds. 

As per reports that Arne Slot is set to stay, it’s understood he will very much be involved in recruitment for the upcoming transfer window. Slot even announced himself that he is “fully involved in Liverpool recruitment for next season”. This allows Slot another chance to recruit the right players for him. It’s worth noting that it took the previous manager, Jurgen Klopp, a number of years to build his unstoppable team. Slot must utilise this opportunity to bring in players that help define a positive identity for the club, fit in with the system he wants, and create strong foundations for the new season to be built on. 

Slot also recently pointed out Liverpool’s sell-to-buy model when it comes to transfers, “we have to sell to usually to buy. It’s a big challenge, it already was last season, and it’s going to be a challenge in the summer again”, hinting at not only incoming activity but outgoing as well. Dominic King, of The Telegraph, reported that several current Liverpool squad members could be sold in the summer. Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, Calvin Ramsay, and Rhys Williams were among the names. Mohammed Salah and Andrew Robertson are also both confirmed to be leaving at the end of the season, and with Hugo Ekitikies’ unfortunate long-term injury, and Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation still unresolved, it means significant gaps need to be addressed by Slot, the hierarchy, and the recruitment team.

Prospect Signings:

Michael Olise (24) - Winger/Attacking Midfielder - Bayern Munich

Credit: Bayern Strikes

The French winger offers the most like-for-like replacement for Mohammed Salah. He has 30 goal contributions in 27 games in the Bundesliga this season and always offers a serious threat down the right-hand side. He’s left-footed, giving him the natural ability to cut inside and has Premier League experience, having previously played for Crystal Palace. Bayern Munich consider him non-transferable, though, and with no reports of a release clause, you’d imagine if a deal were to be made, it would be another well over £100 million. 

Anthony Gordon (25) - Winger/Striker - Newcastle

Credit: Foot Africa 

The Liverpool-born attacker offers an opportunity for a versatile forward, with an ability to play anywhere along the front line. He has 8 goal contributions in 26 games in a struggling Newcastle side in the Premier League. He has strong connections to the club, with his family supporting the Reds, and has previously been linked with a move to Anfield. His pace out wide offers danger, and his versatility across attacking areas makes him a great option for Liverpool. It’s been reported that Gordon is looking for a change of scenery for the upcoming season, eager to take a step up. A fee of around £50-70 million has been floated to interested parties. 

Morgan Rogers (23) - Attacking Midfielder/Winger - Aston Villa

Credit: BBC

The Aston Villa star has been a name that has come up several times in transfer windows linked to Liverpool. He is a quality option that also offers versatility in attacking areas, with his favoured position being attacking midfielder. He has an athletic profile, being a strong, fast, and relentless runner. He possesses cute technical skills and has been attributed with the term master ball carrier, driving the ball with intent to dangerous areas. Any deal would likely cost upwards of £80 million.

Yan Diomande (19) - Winger - RB Leipzig 

Credit: Football Transfers

The exciting young Ivory Coast International talent has been linked with a move to the club for the majority of the season. He is a rapid right-footed left winger with immense 1v1 dribbling skills, always looking to take on his man. His pace and power offer a new dynamic to the Liverpool front line, who have often looked passive and slow this season. Despite his young age, he is strong and has been applauded for his hard work, pressing, and discipline. He already has 41 senior appearances and has scored 14 goals and assisted 9 in that time. He’s a young talent with an exceptionally high ceiling. He was quoted earlier in the year as saying he was a “big fan of Liverpool” and it would be a “dream to play at Anfield”, justifying his comments by explaining that Liverpool is his father’s favourite club. For a deal to be made, the club would need to look at spending £100 million, with RB Leipzig valuing him at 9 figures.

Adam Wharton (22) - Defensive Midfielder - Crystal Palace 

Credit: BBC

Alex Crook, of TalkSport, has cited that Liverpool is the latest club to consider a move for Adam Wharton. He added that Liverpool are “exploring their midfield options”. Wharton was previously linked to the club last summer, and those links haven’t seemed to go away. The English International offers strong defensive stability in the No.6, and possesses the technical ability to break lines with his passes from midfield. He’s eager to get his foot on the ball and play, remaining composed and press-resistant when receiving the ball deep. Crystal Palace won’t want their prized possession to leave, however, and any price in a deal will reflect that desire. Taking that into account, Liverpool would have to pay a slightly inflated fee of around £80-100 million to secure his services, while fending off other clubs who will no doubt also be sniffing about

Archie Gray (20) - Central/Defensive Midfielder - Tottenham Hotspur 

Credit: BBC

With the potential of Tottenham being relegated, it’s no surprise that top clubs will be eager to get hold of their best players and talent in a cut-price deal. Archie Gray could serve as a unique market opportunity for the Reds, as they look to bulk out their midfield. Gray is a young talent with a high ceiling. He also offers versatility across the pitch, with senior experience in the defensive line at both centre back and fullback. He has excellent technical ability on the ball, is mature for his young age, and has an exceptional work rate. In any usual circumstances, you’d imagine Tottenham would be keen to keep hold of his talent and would likely not entertain a deal, but with them flirting with relegation, they might not have a choice. A deal could potentially be done in the region of £35 million.

Kees Smit (20) - Central/Defensive Midfielder - AZ Alkmaar

Credit: NU

Smit is another young talent who could be an option for the Reds. Smit was recently described by his national team coach, Ronald Koeman, as a mix of Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, highlighting his all-around high skill set in the middle of the park. He is labelled as setting the tempo and dictating play for AZ, with control, composure, and technical skill on the ball. He has created 61 changes in the Eredivisie, which is only bettered by one player, and has a high pass completion rate at 87% from 1,295 passes in the opposition half. An underrated part of his game is his work-ethic and and physicality. His one-on-one duels amount to 390, tackles at 52, and ball recovery at 207. In comparison, Alexis Mac Allister has been involved in 206 duels, tackled 43 times, and recovered the ball 93 times. Smit has indicated that he will be on the move this summer, stating, “I could stay at AZ, but I don’t think that’s going to happen”. Other top clubs are sniffing around the talent, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United reportedly interested. A fee of around £50-60 million could be enough for a deal, if Liverpool manages to fend off the competition for his signature.

Nico Schlotterbeck (26) - Centre Back - Borussia Dortmund 

Credit: Get German Football News

There were mumbles of interest in the left-footed centre back in January. As we approach the summer window, the rumours are beginning to sound louder than mumbles. Liverpool have been crying out for a left-footed centre back for years, and while they recruited Giovanni Leoni last summer, he is still a young talent who will take time to be integrated into the squad following his ACL surgery. Schlotterbeck is a tall, strong, and fast defender. He is known for a proactive approach to defending with strong tackling and high interception rates. He’s also comfortable on the ball and has the technical ability required to play out from the back, completing both short and long passes. The defender recently signed a new deal at Dortmund, but it’s been reported that Liverpool, along with Real Madrid, are one of the few clubs that can activate a release clause in his contract. The fee is reported to be around £35-45 million, which appears to be a potential great deal for a defender of his quality.

Marcos Senesi (28) - Centre Back - Bournemouth 

Credit: RG.org

The Argentine is another left-footed centre-back option for the Reds. He has proven Premier League experience and worked under Slot whilst they were both at Feyenoord. He’s been an almost ever-present for Bournemouth this season and has had his most impactful season to date at the club. He takes a front-footed, proactive approach to defending and is known to take a progressive approach to possession, often committing to risky passes to break through the press of the opposition. Liverpool had been heavily linked with the defender earlier this week, but as per David Ornstein, Tottenham have reportedly entered advanced talks with the defender. The potential transfer to Spurs seems to depend on their Premier League status next season. With his contract up in the summer, Senesi would be available for free, and if the transfer to Spurs was to fall through, Liverpool could pounce on the unique market opportunity to bolster their defensive reinforcements.

David Raum (27) - Left Back - RB Leipzig 

Credit: Football Blog

With Andrew Robertson confirmed to be leaving and Kostas Tsimikas potentially being moved on, Liverpool must invest in competition and cover for last summer’s signing, Milos Kerkez. David Raum, a German international, could be that player, with news emerging that he’s being looked at by the recruitment team. Raum was given the Leipzig captaincy at the beginning of the season and has played an impressive season, contributing to 11 goals at left-back. He is regarded as one of the most creative full-backs in Europe and is known for his wicked crosses from the left-hand side and immense work rate to get up and down the flank. His contract expires at Leipzig in 2027, and they are eager to extend his stay. However, with their strict salary price cap, it’s proving difficult. In the summer, his release clause reportedly drops to below £34 million, allowing teams to obtain him in a cut-price deal. Raum would be a smart move for Liverpool, providing essential cover at left-back whilst still encouraging competition for the starting role.