During the summer transfer window, new signings can choose their Liverpool shirt number.
This summer, Arne Slot will take over as Liverpool’s manager once Jürgen Klopp leaves. After nine years in command of the team, the German manager is set to depart from Anfield. Michael Edwards has returned to Anfield as well, taking up the position of CEO of football. In addition, Richard Hughes has been named sporting director after Jörg Schmadtke left in January. Slot’s hiring as Klopp’s replacement is the last piece in the backroom puzzle, but the club has not yet formally confirmed this. Following this, the aforementioned three can focus on providing Slot with enough money during the summer transfer window to reshape the team to his liking.
The obvious additions are evident for Liverpool. With the injuries that have dogged the team this season, they are in serious need of defensive reinforcements. A number of players, including Andy Robertson, Joël Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, and Kostas Tsimikas, missed a significant portion of the season due to long-term injuries. These problems were mitigated by the rise of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, but recruiting will still be necessary. It would be helpful to have a left-footed center defender who can also play full back. The most recent option to come up in the discussion is Willian Pacho of Eintracht Frankfurt, though it’s unclear if Slot will approve the agreement. Plans must also be made elsewhere for futures of Mohamed Salah and seasoned team Virgil van Dijk. Since each player’s contract is about to expire, choices must be made on whether to keep them with the team longer, sign a potential replacement, or cash in on them. When their contracts expire, other players will also be leaving the team; two of the more prominent ones are the injured Matip and Thiago Alcântara. Both players have done a great job for the team, but as they are getting close to 30, Liverpool will have to let them go in an effort to freshen up the roster. With the Spaniard out, the team will probably be able to add midfield reinforcements for Japanese international Wataru Endŵ, who has acted as throughout the entire current campaign as the only defensive midfield player. Teun Koopmeiners, an Atlanta star, has been strongly linked since making an impression on the Serie A team during their Europa League match.