Before the transfer market opens and Arne Slot arrives, Liverpool stars still have a lot to prove.
Liverpool is poised for a massive upheaval. Despite how outdated it makes me feel, many Reds supporters will only have memories of Jürgen Klopp as their manager. Those supporters are extremely lucky, as they have seen a level of consistent success not seen since the 1970s and 80s. Fans have experienced more of a rollercoaster between those two vintages, with some historic highs and some very low lows. It is hoped that Klopp’s departure and the appointment of a new manager will be similar to the passing of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, building on the success of the previous regime and actually making Liverpool an even more formidable trophy-winning machine. But in actuality, we are more or less going into the unknown, even if it seems like the next manager’s identity has been decided. It appears that Arne Slot will be entrusted with the enormous duty of succeeding Klopp. Although he will come to Anfield with problems to answer, he does have the benefit of inheriting a very good team. There is a school of thought that suggests transfer market planning should give continuity top priority given all the changes occurring. Although a new era is approaching, some players will be using their two remaining games under Klopp to try and show something before the summer window, with nobody’s future being carved in stone.
Van Dijk, Virgil If Slot arrives as anticipated, the captain will have a fellow countryman as his next head coach. However, that won’t get him a free pass to this Liverpool team’s next incarnation. Van Dijk may actually have to persuade Michael Edwards and the new sporting director Richard Hughes. Though it’s strange to consider that his future might be in doubt, it’s important to keep in mind that he has one year remaining on his Liverpool deal and will turn 33 in the summer. With a summer transfer improbable, he will most likely have that one more year to attempt and establish his value to Liverpool. Having said that, there have been a few two links, and if the Reds could finally resume keeping clean sheets in their last few games under Klopp, Van Dijk would be more appreciative than most.