Liverpool boss Arne Slot has suggested that there may not be much activity in the summer transfer window for the Reds. This comes after Mohamed Salah, one of three players who were at risk of leaving for nothing, ended months of speculation by signing a new two-year deal on Friday.
Virgil van Dijk is also expected to renew his contract soon, but there are concerns about Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is considering an offer from Real Madrid.
Slot commended Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes for successfully negotiating with Salah and his agent Ramy Abass Issa. However, when questioned about his relationship with Hughes and the anticipated busy transfer window, Slot responded: “That last thing is something that you say!
“There’s not so many reasons to make it a busy one because we are quite well placed in the league and we have only lost in the Champions League against an incredible side which we were better than for 90 minutes at our stadium, I will add that one more time.
“From the start, the moment he (Richard) came to me and talked to me about wanting to join Liverpool, we have a very good relationship. It is very positive.
“We talk a lot, we speak a lot and we are mainly on the same page. Sometimes we have different opinions which is a good thing as well. He is putting a lot of effort in and that’s not something our fans always see, but I do.
“I always say that people who are successful work very hard and Richard works very hard. So expect him to be successful as well.”
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Although new contracts for key players like Salah and Van Dijk will reduce the need for new signings, Liverpool is still expected to make several additions during the off-season.
One confirmed arrival is Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who will join the Reds next season for $39 million.
Liverpool is also looking to strengthen its left-back position, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez a target. Slot has previously mentioned the need for a new striker, with the futures of several forwards, including Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, and Luis Diaz, uncertain.
The club’s failed attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi last summer suggests they are still interested in adding depth to their midfield. If Alexander-Arnold leaves, the club will need to find competition for Conor Bradley at right-back.
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The Reds’ boss commented on the situation, insisting that Bradley and Joe Gomez’s injury records will not affect his thinking.
“It’s not fair on both because I think Conor only had this season one or two injuries,” Slot said. “Joe has a bit more of a history of injuries but it is also very difficult for a player like him because he is in and out the team more than he might want himself.
“To keep those players fit is always more difficult than the ones that play almost every game.
“I don’t look at Conor as a player that can only play 20 games a season. This season he had two injuries but he, as Joe, were not regular starters so I think we can only judge Conor on his fitness if he is good enough, which we expect he is, to become a regular starter for us.”
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
