Arne Slot’s Liverpool tenure is no more. The Dutchman, just 12 months after delivering the club’s second-ever Premier League title, has been let go from his role as manager. It’s a big decision from the Reds’ hierarchy, who will now begin the search for his replacement.
With cult hero Xabi Alonso having already put pen to paper on a deal to manage Chelsea, Liverpool’s options are somewhat thin on the ground. The clear favourite as things stand is Andoni Iraola, who worked with Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, at Bournemouth. If the two were to rekindle their relationship, Express Sport have picked out some of the transfers they could target in the summer window.
Naturally, Iraola would likely look towards players he’s used at Bournemouth as potential options. Eli Junior Kroupi has enjoyed a breakout season and has been tipped to join one of the continent’s biggest clubs. With 13 goals in 33 league appearances, the 19-year-old certainly knows where the back of the net is and has clearly enjoyed developing his game under Iraola.
Sticking with the Cherries, Alex Scott was one of their most important players this season. The midfielder was perhaps unlucky not to have earned an England call-up, but at 22-years-old, his best years are certainly ahead of him. Capable of playing several different roles in the middle of the park, he could be the perfect fit for Iraola’s new–look Liverpool.
This was a transfer that had been mooted even before Slot’s departure, as Bradley Barcola had been linked with a move away from Paris Saint-Germain. With Hugo Ekitike’s injury and Mohamed Salah’s departure, Liverpool will need a forward capable of coming in and making an immediate impact. Barcola has two years left on his contract, and Liverpool could look to use that to their advantage as they look to land one of Europe’s most promising talents.
One of the biggest tasks facing Iraola upon his likely arrival at Anfield will be plugging the gap left behind by the departing Ibrahima Konate. Jarell Quansah left Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen last summer and has enjoyed a fantastic season with the German side. The 20-time champions do boast a buyback clause in Quansah’s contract, with rumours suggesting it is as high as £70million. It would be an expensive return, but with centre-back options not exactly plentiful, it could be worthwhile.