Slot has struck gold on Liverpool star worth far more than Kerkez & Huijsen

Liverpool’s season will dwell lengthy within the reminiscence, however FSG will not need the 2024/25 marketing campaign to face as an outlier within the post-Jurgen Klopp years.

Fortunately, that does not look probably, not when Arne Slot is on the helm and thriving. The Dutch coach has been a exceptional success story, arriving final summer time after a number of trophy-laden years in his homeland with Feyenoord.

The record-equalling title triumph should now be used as a basis, constructed upon over the approaching years to create one other dynasty on Merseyside.

Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis will each really feel their campaigns have been laced with disappointment, and they are going to be decided to strengthen over the following few months.

Liverpool must do the identical, particularly after such nominal switch exercise lately. Whereas a striker is among the many priorities, it is Anfield’s defence that would see probably the most dramatic shifts.

Liverpool’s defensive plans this summer time

Trent Alexander-Arnold will go away Liverpool, however he’ll go away a two-time Premier League champion and one of many harbingers of the illustrious trendy age for the membership.

Liverpool are going to wish to interchange their vice-captain, even when Slot is keen to provide Conor Bradley the possibility to show himself because the first-choice possibility. Nonetheless, issues are difficult by the urgency for a brand new left-back, with Andy Robertson exhibiting indicators of decline.

FSG do have a reputation in thoughts. Milos Kerkez is the far-and-away favorite to hitch Liverpool’s ranks this summer time, having loved an exemplary marketing campaign on the south coast with Bournemouth.

The Telegraph declare Wolves are rising in confidence that they’ll tie Rayan Ait-Nouri all the way down to a brand new deal, with Liverpool able to bin their curiosity within the Algerian in favour of signing the £45m-rated Kerkez.

That is not all. Andoni Iraola is doing a superb job on the Vitality Stadium, and the Reds are eager on raiding the European contenders for his or her star centre-back Dean Huijsen too.

Huijsen, 20, has been one of the crucial thrilling prospects within the Premier League this time period, with analyst Ben Mattinson even going so far as to name him “probably the most in-demand centre-back on this planet.”

With a £50m launch clause, the younger Spain star is needed by each prime staff, however Liverpool want a long-term Virgil van Dijk substitute.

And there is extra happening in central defence too, with considered one of Slot’s superstars persevering with to pad alongside with none actual readability on their future, and whether or not that may stay on Merseyside.

In any case, Liverpool have struck gold on their towering titan.

Slot has hit gold on “monster” defender

Liverpool have a self-sustaining mannequin underneath the possession of FSG. This has rankled at instances, however who can say the Premier League champions have been unsuccessful over the previous decade?

This mannequin does imply that sure hardships need to be endured, with some gifted gamers warming to the thought of a pay rise that merely will not be granted. Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, it have to be mentioned, are the 2 exceptions to the rule.

Nonetheless, within the case of Ibrahima Konate, it feels we’ve an incipient switch saga on our palms, Reds, with the France worldwide about to enter the ultimate yr of his £70k-per-week contract.

It is comprehensible that he ought to need a new deal to higher replicate his “monster” defending alongside the skipper, as has been mentioned by Liverpool author Josh Williams. Nonetheless, if studies are to be believed, Konate is in search of a £200k-per-week wage to remain put.

This may make him the third-highest-paid participant in Slot’s senior squad, maybe not an unfair reflection of Konate’s value, however perhaps a bit of tall.

There’s additionally the matter of Actual Madrid. That ever-present and ominous shadow that lurks over Liverpool. They’re taking Trent, and now they need Konate too, disassembling after which piecing again collectively the suitable aspect of Slot’s backline, although in a shiny white hue.

In accordance with Spanish outlet Marca, Konate could be very a lot a switch goal for Los Blancos, however given that he’s valued at €100m (£85m) by Liverpool’s chiefs, they’re hoping to name upon extra darkish magic and signal one other world-class participant on a free switch.

That is fairly the hike in worth for the 25-year-old, who first arrived in Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2021 after his £36m launch clause was met.

It is a neat reflection of Konate’s enhancements on the health entrance; by no means has the 6 foot 4 star been so constantly out there in a Liverpool shirt.

His worth as considered one of Europe’s elite defenders is additional underscored by how far he’s at the moment away from up-and-comers like Kerkez and Huijsen, whose mixed switch worth would solely exceed Konate’s by about £10m.

Each gifted gamers, the younger Bournemouth duo are worthy of a transfer to Merseyside this summer time, however they don’t seem to be but the completed article.

Konate has spent a number of years studying from Van Dijk beside him, finishing 90% of his passes within the Premier League this season, successful 71% of his aerial battles, as per Sofascore.

He is athletic and imposing, technical and tenacious. Liverpool have reaped the fruits of his labours for a number of years now, however he is really made himself generally known as an elite participant underneath Slot’s wing, so necessary in successful the title.

Liverpool have hit the jackpot on their French defender, however it will not really feel that approach in 12 months, if the ghost of Alexander-Arnold returns to take one other top-tier participant away from Slot’s ranks on a Bosman.

It is paramount that FSG handle to engineer a brand new deal for this excellent participant. Possibly £200k-per-week calls for aren’t so absurd in any case.