Slot has hit the jackpot on Liverpool “monster”

This has been a implausible season for Liverpool and Arne Slot, now inches away from a Premier League title which can be delivered to Anfield’s doorstep as early as this weekend.

Whereas that is unlikely (Liverpool would want to beat Leicester Metropolis away and hope that imperilled Ipswich City earn three factors at residence in opposition to Arsenal), it is a certainty at this stage that Liverpool would be the phrase etched into the trophy earlier than the summer time.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will little doubt have spent many months including sheaf upon sheaf to his switch plans, tasked with stocking Slot’s squad with new elements forward of the 2024/25 marketing campaign.

Now that Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contracts have been taken care of, rumours round who will substitute the outgoing Darwin Nunez at quantity 9 have been ramping up, however Liverpool have to strengthen throughout the park.

Bringing a brand new central defender carries each bit as a lot weight as signing a brand new striker.

Liverpool’s pursuit of a centre-back

Liverpool want to strengthen throughout a spread of positions this summer time, and regardless of Van Dijk’s much-anticipated renewal, central defence is about to be chief among the many checklist of priorities.

It appears Liverpool have already recognized their favorite goal, with latest studies claiming Liverpool are main the tight-packed race to signal Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who’s having fun with an exemplary breakout yr within the Premier League.

Huijsen is likely to be younger and largely untested on the highest stage, however his particular talent set bespeaks a future position on the very forefront of the European recreation.

It is no coincidence that so most of the continent’s prime outfits are lining as much as make their transfer.

Actual Madrid have registered their curiosity however Huijsen is predicted to snub the La Liga superstars in favour of staying within the Premier League, report Spanish sources.

That is fairly the novelty. Nevertheless it reinforces Liverpool’s place within the driving seat as Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes confer forward of the switch window.

Huijsen is a terrific expertise with a giant future forward of him, however he can be becoming a member of a vastly proficient Liverpool backline and there aren’t any assurances that he’d match proper into the beginning fold from the get-go.

Not with Slot’s present choices so proficient, so confirmed on this title-winning group. Liverpool want extra, however they’ve already hit the jackpot on a star value much more than the Premier League’s most enjoyable younger centre-half.

Liverpool have hit gold on Klopp signing

Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah was fast-tracked to first-team significance final season after Joel Matip suffered a career-ending knee harm in December 2023.

He is since turn out to be a mainstay within the wider squad, and although Slot hasn’t used the 22-year-old all that often this time period, he is nonetheless performed his half and has attracted curiosity from Newcastle United, who can be prepared to do enterprise for a £30m determine – which is decrease than Liverpool’s valuation.

Huijsen, with a £50m launch clause, is value extra. Nevertheless, Ibrahima Konate’s worth is greater than it is ever been following his half in Liverpool’s soon-to-be triumph.

Konate has been with Liverpool for 4 seasons now, becoming a member of from RB Leipzig after his £36m launch clause was activated. Lengthy regarded for his sinewy physique, formidable defending and sharp technical abilities, accidents have all the time been the France worldwide’s sticking level.

He is suffered from a little bit of health trouble this time period, however Konate has by no means performed extra within the Premier League, hailed by analyst Josh Williams as a “monster at protecting floor and coping with one vs one conditions.”

That is clear when peering on the knowledge. As per Sofascore, Konate has gained 65% of his duels within the prime flight this yr, retaining ten clear sheets and finishing 90% of his passes.

Huijsen is a superb expertise, however he is not but on the towering 25-year-old’s stage. The Spain worldwide, for instance, has solely gained 56% of his Premier League duels, additionally finishing 84% of his passes.

Heading towards his first league title, Konate has been a bona fide success on Merseyside, with Liverpool hitting the jackpot on the proficient defender. Nevertheless, on condition that he is about to enter the ultimate yr of his contract, FSG will certainly be involved they might lose one other member of their backline on a free, with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to affix Actual Madrid this summer time.

Paris Saint-Germain and Actual Madrid are each recognized admirers of the French defender, however Liverpool will not be letting him go away on a budget this yr, with Spanish sources claiming the Reds would refuse discussions if their €60m (£51m) price ticket was not matched.

Given Konate’s only one yr away from his deal expiring, this goes to indicate that Liverpool have gotten fairly the defender of their combine.

There is no query that Liverpool will hope to retain their monstrous defensive star’s providers, particularly now that Van Dijk’s future has been sorted and Konate’s fears allayed in that regard.

For now, we wait and see, however whichever manner the pendulum swings this summer time, Liverpool have hit the jackpot on Konate and can probably do the identical on Huijsen, who may be part of Konate on Merseyside and even take his place within the coming months.