When Liverpool’s players return to preseason training next week, there will certainly be a sense of change at the AXA Training Centre.
While it may only be the beginning of July, Arne Slot’s squad has gone through a significant number of alterations already this summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher and Jarell Quansah are the high-profile exits, but Nat Phillips has also left, along with goalkeepers Vitezslav Jaros and Harvey Davies, who have both departed on loan.
Replacements have already been secured. Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have set the Reds back to the tune of £170million ($232M), with more expected this window. Giorgi Mamardashvili is also set to kickstart his Liverpool career, 10 months after signing for the Reds, and he has been joined in the goalkeeping department by Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi.
But the changes have not been limited to players. Liverpool confirmed on Wednesday that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will take up the role of Slot’s assistant, replacing John Heitinga, who moved to Ajax earlier this summer.
The appointment of Van Bronckhorst, the former Dutch international who has enjoyed spells managing Feyenoord, Guangzhou R&F and Rangers, is seen as a real coup for the club. He will work alongside Sipke Hulshoff as Slot’s assistants.
Meanwhile, Liverpool also announced the appointment of Xavi Valero as the club’s new lead goalkeeper coach. The Spaniard previously worked at the club during Rafael Benitez’s tenure at Anfield.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has joined Liverpool as Arne Slot's new assistant coach. (Image: 2025 Anadolu)
He has replaced previous goalkeeping coaches Fabian Otte and Claudio Taffarel. The latter has worked with Alisson at both club and international for several years and will continue as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil staff.
In fact, Slot’s backroom team has changed drastically in just over a year since Jurgen Klopp’s exit. Aaron Briggs joined Liverpool as an individual development coach last year, along with Ruben Peeters as lead physical performance coach.
Lead strength and conditioning coach, Chris Black, also joined the Reds in 2024.
Arne Slot has already spent big this summer and isn't looking to pursue the Swedish striker
Slot's coaching staff has changed drastically in the last year. (Image: PETER POWELL, AFP via Getty Images)
Other members from the Klopp era remain, such as club doctor Jonathan Power, head of physiotherapy, Lee Nobles, Head of the First Team Physical Performance department, Dr Conall Murtagh, and rehabilitation fitness coach, Dr David Rydings.
In total, 21 members of staff are listed on club’s website as members of Slot’s backroom team, they include: Chris Morgan (head of performance physical therapy), Amit Pannu (first-team doctor), Robin Sadler (first-team physiotherapist), Paul Small (masseur), Lee Radcliffe (kit operations manager), Brendan McIlduff (kit co-ordinator), Joe Lewis (rehab physio), Clare Farrell (lead performance nutritionist), Yinka Ademuyiwa (kit assistant), Michelle Hudson (masseur), and Lynsey Ahmed (health care assistant)