Arne Slot’s Success To Be Defined by Recruitment

As Liverpool Football Club’s preseason inches closer to the first game, it has not gone unnoticed that the reds are yet to make any additions to the squad so far in the summer transfer window. The Anfield giants and Fulham have been reported as being the only significant teams yet to secure any incoming business, with the opening day of the season now just a few weeks away.

On Wednesday of this week, the new Liverpool Head Coach, Arne Slot, presided over the traveling party that headed to the US, to continue preparations for the upcoming 2024/225 campaign. This type of venture is as much a moneymaking exercise for the club, as it is a chance for the group to realign under new leadership.

There are of course some notable absentees from the listed players, who may join up with the squad partway through the tour. Following the recent closure of both the Copa America and European Championships, it allowed raft of participants a much-needed break away from elite level football, before returning to domestic duties. All these relevant circumstances make it difficult for the recruitment team to undertake their very specific mandate, as observation of the playing staff is continued by its new steward.

When Can We Expect the First Summer Signing?

I feel it would be unlikely to see the first signing of the former Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot, undertaken whilst he was in North America. Likely, any new addition would be arriving from a different footballing league and from a different country, therefore demanding initial steps be taken (by the club) to migrate the player and his family from one setting to another.

Due to this very real scenario and the want for the club to present that player alongside the management team, it is unlikely that any incoming transfer will be finalised and presented prior to week commencing August 5th, when the team are due to travel back to Merseyside. As painful as this may be so much of the expectant fanbase, this is the reality and perhaps the most sensible step in this ongoing regeneration. The contract renewals and formulation of a long-term strategy is ongoing, which no doubt sees new arrivals push back a couple of weeks.

Importance Of New Additions This Summer

Despite being left with a deep and talented squad of players, the new Liverpool CEO, Michael Edwards, will be all too aware of the shortcomings that inevitably saw Liverpool drop away (in the chase for silverware) at the end of last season. It is of paramount importance to see an elite level defensive midfielder signed in the next few weeks, as the man that can finally succeed the legendary and departed enforcer, Fabinho.

Though I am a fan of the output and enthusiasm of Waturu Endō, there is no doubt that given the departure and subsequent retirement of the all-time great, Thiago Alcântara, a more robust body should be brought in to add depth and quality to the group.

In addition to that need, a left sided defender must also be targeted to supplement the fullback area. Many believe that to enable the assumed altered system of the team, it would be better served by a hybrid defender that can operate as both a left centre back and left back in transition.

The probable on ball initiative of the team and varying links to a raft of suitable options, would then see the Scotland captain, Andy Robertson, drafted into a rotation role, whilst also allowing an impactful option from the bench. The first team does not require wholesale changes, yet those two positions are in desperate need of attention, which I am confident will be attended to,

What Is Likely to Transpire?

I cannot see how forward momentum and ultimate success of Liverpool FC can be achieved, without at least two new signings arriving within this window of change. I suspect that the newly appointed Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, will be busy finalising specific deals to ensure those that are needed, are brought in before the start of the new season.

With a wholesale change to the management and a new and exciting regime in place, it would be negligent and uncharacteristic of such professionals to carry forward an already reduced group, therefore, the immediate success of the 45-year-old Liverpool boss could well be determined by the club’s ability to recruit what is needed.

Richard Hughes will know that all eyes are on him and that contract extensions alone, will not appease to wants of the many.