3 months ago
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Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Liverpool manager isn’t worried about the lack of signings so far this summer such is the strength of the squad he inherited.
A month into pre-season, with the start of the 2024-25 season drawing near and new manager Arne Slot’s ideas starting to take hold in the squad, Liverpool have yet to make any significant changes to their squad.
Aside from a few out of contract players departing, in fact, it remains exactly the same group Jürgen Klopp led last season. Slot, though, insists that’s not cause for concern given the strength of the squad he inherited.
“The bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players,” Liverpool’s new head coach told The Athletic. “It is not so easy to first find a player to meet those standards and then is he available?
“Then we have to find an agreement with them, so it is not always easy to find a player who can help us. My main focus has been on working with the team and preparing them in the best possible way for the first game.”
While it would be reckless perhaps to read too much into pre-season performances, there certainly is promise on the preparation front, with wins over domestic rivals Arsenal and Manchester United this past week.
In both games, Slot’s system—a 4-2-4 with central attackers who both drop off to link with the midfield, regular underlapping fullback runs, and a deep buildup meant to try to trigger the opposition press—was on display.
The passes and buildup patterns weren’t always perfectly executed, but when things clicked Slot’s Reds were both dominant in possession and deadly when they managed to create space and spring their attacks.
There’s also still plenty of quality to add to the mix, with Slot reminding people many of Liverpool’s star players are only now returning to train with him for the first time following a summer with a Euros and Copa America.
“The best way to judge it is when we have all the players back and we still haven’t,” he added. “But a club like Liverpool always keeps its eye open to see what’s available, players who can strengthen the squad.”
