At their best under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool She was a force of nature. Wrecking ball. The Anfield team tore through opponents with irresistible speed and power.
Arnie slot He does things differently. The Dutch coach has something similar to his predecessor's style, but his Liverpool team provides more control and composure and shoots with all its might.
If only we could preserve this group of talented players and keep them together for many years to come. But football undergoes frequent changes and Liverpool face losing some of their prized possessions as Slot's side compete for the biggest honors Europe has to offer.
Trent Alexander ArnoldOf course, this is the biggest problem that FSG has to deal with.
Latest Trent Alexander-Arnold news
The Spanish media have vehemently reiterated their understanding that Alexander-Arnold, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid in 2025, whether that month or in the summer.
Anfield sources have tried to allay fears by repeatedly stressing that nothing has been decided and Alexander-Arnold has not spoken about his desire to leave for new stadiums.
However, time is ticking and the infallible source of information, Fabrizio Romano, has confirmed that Real Madrid are expected to make contact with the 26-year-old soon.
It's become so easy to forget that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk They are in the same boat. While experienced stars are He is expected to make new deals on MerseysideThere is no doubt that both offer attractive opportunities for the biggest clubs around the world.
And this is exactly why FSG Need to step up efforts, because Liverpool's captain has a vested interest in a Champions League superpower.
Inter Milan targets Liverpool star
Spanish sources revealed In late December, Champions League giants Inter Milan were interested in signing Van Dijk when he joined Contract worth £220,000 per week Expires at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The 33-year-old defender has been in stunning form this season, revamping Liverpool's defensive authority and allowing more in-form teammates like Salah to steal the headlines.
Van Dijk has been coy when asked about his future over the past few months, but is leaning towards continuing his journey with Liverpool, although Serie A champions Inter have been involved since the autumn and will hope their fundamentals can make an impact, should Liverpool's sporting form. Director Richard Hughes stumbles at the negotiating table.
Besides the obvious advantage that Van Dijk has a deep love for Liverpool, they also boast a financial superiority that would make it extremely difficult for Inter to exceed a salary offer and tempt Van Dijk out.
Liverpool need to act carefully and complete the deal quickly. Losing the Netherlands captain would be the biggest disaster that could happen in the red half of Merseyside this year.
Losing Van Dijk would be the biggest disaster for Slot
Liverpool have signed an exciting Southampton centre-back A world record fee (for a defender) of £75m In January 2018 and it was worth every penny.
Frankly, Liverpool could have paid twice that amount and viewed the deal with nothing but satisfaction: Van Dijk has transformed Klopp's backline and become the pillar of strength Liverpool need to move forward and lift almost every major trophy available, including the Premier League and World Cup. UEFA Champions League.
He is 33 years old but still at the top of the table for elite defense in football. Reporter Louis Steele encapsulated it A few days ago, he said:
He added: “He has been faultless this season and is easily one of the standout players in the Premier League.”
Van Dijk has been truly unrivaled this season, keeping eight clean sheets from his 18 Premier League appearances. When looking at his metrics against his defensive partners, his impact is further emphasized.
|
Liverpool's central defenders in the English Premier League (24/25) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Match statistics* |
Van Dyke |
In knowledge |
Gomez |
Quansah |
|
Matches (start) |
18 (18) |
12 (11) |
9 (6) |
5 (2) |
|
Objectives |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Helps |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clean sheets |
8 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
touches* |
89.5 |
70.6 |
54.6 |
41.2 |
|
Complete the pass |
92% |
91% |
89% |
91% |
|
Key passes* |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.0 |
|
recover the ball* |
3.2 |
3.1 |
3.8 |
1.0 |
|
Interventions + Interceptions * |
3.0 |
1.5 |
2.2 |
2.4 |
|
Approvals* |
4.2 |
3.3 |
2.1 |
1.8 |
|
Total duels (won)* |
4.7 (71%) |
4.0 (72%) |
2.8 (66%) |
3.2 (52%) |
|
Statistics via SofaScore (* = for each game) |
||||
Perhaps it is a small victory that the 6-foot-5 Dutchman has maintained such strong form despite the constant turmoil that has typically plagued Liverpool's defensive ranks over the years. Without Van Dijk, the Redmen would not have reached similar heights by half.
Is keeping Van Dijk's signature very important? More important than Alexander Arnold? These are pertinent questions as we enter kitchen sink time in the contracting landscape. Liverpool need to get this done, lest a noticeable decline cover Anfield like a dark blanket over the coming years.
Slott has been admirably cool in the face of persistent questions about his uncommitted stars. Look ahead, the successes of this great Liverpool team in winning titles are many.
It is clear that this current noise, which is changing from annoying background noise to annoying noise, cannot continue. Decisions have to happen, no matter what.
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Let's hope Liverpool can convince Alexander-Arnold to continue his journey with his boyhood club, but don't forget, Van Dijk must be tied up too – achieving this would be the biggest victory FSG could achieve.
