8 hours Ago By [email protected] (Mark Wakefield)
Arne Slot is doing a remarkable job managing Liverpool in his first season as the club's head coach. Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout last summer and will have confidence in winning the Premier League title this term. Liverpool are 13 points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, at the top of the league standings and have Southampton to come as their next league fixture.
The Reds are also back in Champions League action this week as they travel to face Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 first leg. Away from the action on the pitch, there continues to be speculation about what Liverpool's squad will look like next season. The futures of Trent Alexander-Arnold , Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk play a key role in these rumours, with the trio all out of contract at the end of June as things stand.
Eddie Howe reveals Alexander Isak concern after injury worry before Liverpool final PSG receive triple Champions League injury boost before Liverpool after dream weekend It remains to be seen if either of the three players will agree new deals to extend their Liverpool career in the weeks or months ahead. Whether Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk or Salah stay or leave, it's certain that the Anfield hierarchy have a crucial summer in front of them. Here, the ECHO takes a look at what should be a priority for Liverpool this summer once the transfer window reopens.
Sign Isak Much has been said about Liverpool's potential need for a new centre forward. Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is one player who has been tentatively linked with a move to Anfield over the last few weeks. Various reports have claimed that Newcastle would only do business for Isak if a fee in excess of £100million was offered, while others have suggested the Magpies have no intention of letting the Sweden international leave.
Qualifying for the Champions League may affect the St James' Park club's chances of being able to keep their star striker at the club, though. If Liverpool do want to sign a striker, they should try and get the best in the Premier League. At the moment, that player is Isak.
Sign Kerkez Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez was heavily linked with signing for Liverpool both last summer and in January. The Reds have been rumoured to be interested in signing a new left-back ever since the start of the season. Slot has regularly rotated Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas across the season.
Signing a new left-sided full-back in the summer is arguably one of the most important deals the club need to do to strengthen their squad. Kerkez has the Premier League experience which would be a valuable addition if he was to move to Anfield, but Bournemouth are likely to demand a sizable fee for one of their star players. Plus, the Cherries qualifying for Europe would strengthen their position in negotiations and make it more difficult for Liverpool to agree a deal.
New Konate contract While Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold's contracts have been a dominant talking point this season, it's worth remembering that Ibrahima Konate's deal is also soon expiring. The defender's current deal runs out in 2026, meaning he will enter the final 12 months of his contract at the end of the season. Konate has formed an impressive partnership alongside Van Dijk ever since his arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021.
The France international has made 30 appearances this term in all competitions, with two goals to his name. Regardless of what happens with the aforementioned trio's futures, Liverpool must ensure they are not put in the same situation with Konate. Therefore, agreeing a new contract for the Frenchman as soon as possible must be viewed as one of the most important pieces of business the club conducts in the months ahead.
.
