Perhaps what is most remarkable about Arne Slot winning the league in his first season at Liverpool is that he’s barely altered the squad he inherited in terms of personnel.
Slot will have had targets and changes in mind when he arrived at Liverpool, but yet he seemed harmonious with FSG’s decision to let the dust settle somewhat in his first summer.
Jurgen Klopp had just overseen a small overhaul of Liverpool’s squad over the previous few seasons and there was serious talent immediately available to Slot.
But that doesn’t take anything away from Slot’s title win — the Dutchman has enhanced Liverpool’s style and there should be so much excitement for the future from a Liverpool perspective.
That being said, it will be interesting to see if the former Feyernoord manager decides to alter his midfield this summer.
Gary Lineker praises Alexis Mac Allister’s consistency
One of Klopp’s final signings at Liverpool was to recruit Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m the summer before his departure.
And speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, pundit Gary Lineker claimed that Mac Allister was actually one of the unsung heroes of this title-win under Slot.
Speaking alongside Alan Shearer, Lineker admitted that he had been blown away by the Argentinian’s consistency, a player who has scored some crucial goals this season.
Lineker said: “I think at the start of the season, everyone was going, well, we’re not sure they’re not strengthening their midfield.
“But the way he’s got them to work in there and, you know, he’s rotated at times between some of the players.
“But, you know, perhaps one goes under the radar a little bit as like one of those unsung heroes, if you like, you mentioned him earlier, Mac Allister, I think.
“I mean, what a consistent performer he is. And he’s got a special goal in him. Like what a hit that was as well against Tottenham today.”
Shearer added: “The midfield’s been one of their, well, it’s been a powerhouse.
“When you consider that they were in for [Martin] Zubimendi at the beginning of the season, didn’t sign him for whatever reason, but their midfield has been one of their strengths.
“They’ve been absolutely brilliant in those positions.”
How do Liverpool improve next season?
In terms of taking Slot’s project one step further next season, a lot of focus will be on what Richard Hughes and his transfer team will be able to achieve in the transfer market.
As well as potentially buying another number six or eight for their midfield, Liverpool are predominantly being linked with a new striker.
Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in an ideal world, however, the Sweden international might be unavailable to all interested clubs.
Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool will buy a different striker, but either way it does feel as if Slot needs a new number nine.
Darwin Nunez is set to leave Anfield by all accounts, and it does feel like an obvious upgrade for Liverpool to make.
