Liverpool mark their return to action this coming week as the Premier League champions set their sights on retaining their title over the next 10 months under Arne Slot
Arne Slot
Arne Slot welcomes his players back over the coming days(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s pre-season is underway in the wake of the tragic death Diogo Jota. A number of the club's senior players returned to the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, 72 hours after attending the funeral of the Portuguese forward and his brother, Andre Silva.
Heartbreaking tributes have been issued to the 28-year-old from across the world of football, after the duo's deaths in a car crash last Thursday. Mohamed Salah painfully admitted that he was 'frightened' to return to Liverpool, such is the enormity of the grief being felt, while Andy Robertson paid perhaps the most touching tribute of all.
Salah and Robertson were both part of the contingent to return, as the Premier League champions attempt to somehow focus their attention on preparing to defend their Premier League title. Already there is a game fast approaching.
Their pre-season campaign is scheduled to kick-off at Preston's Deepdale Stadium on Sunday, although that could yet be postponed with Arne Slot set to consult his players this week.
The Dutchman will then - somehow - have to look at matters on the field and the work that needs to be done ahead of the new season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is gone, having joined Real Madrid, with Jarrell Quansah and Caiomhin Kelleher both having departed too. Florian Wirtz, potentially for a British record fee, Jeremie Frimpong and two new goalkeepers have arrived thus far.
Here are a few things that will need to be decided before the Community Shield with Crystal Palace on August 10.
Remain firm on Diaz
A number of stars are set to return with their respective futures with the club up in the air. Chief among those is Colombian forward Luis Diaz.
The former Porto star has plenty of interest in his services with Barcelona and Bayern Munich both eyeing him. Liverpool have remained firm that he will not be going anywhere, while there have been talks over a new contract at Anfield.
Given he enjoyed his best season at the club last season, Diaz would be a key player to keep if they hope to put together a title defence next term. So Slot and his more senior chiefs just need to remain staunch as they attempt to keep him.
Arne Slot and Luis Diaz
Liverpool need to clarify Luis Diaz's future (Image: Getty Images)
Clarify Konate future
Another star who faces a slightly uncertain future is centre-back Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman has just one year remaining on his current contract with the Reds, meaning they’ve only got limited chances left to earn a big fee for his services.
Konate has already turned down one offer of a new contract and it appears that he has been discussing terms with Real Madrid. It could then be productive to have a conversation with the defender over what his plans are.
That would either give Liverpool freedom to either sign a replacement - that man potentially being Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi - or stick with Konate should he change his mind and sign a new deal.
Work on Frimpong and Salah relationship
While Konate could be on the way out, one defender who is not going anywhere is Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutchman only arrived at the club from Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England man will certainly be a miss given the excellent relationship he struck up with Mohamed Salah down the right flank. It goes without saying that Frimpong will certainly be aiming to emulate that success.
Of course, he is a completely different player to his predecessor so work will be needed alongside Salah in training in order for the pair to get on the same wavelength. And the sooner that starts, the better.
Jeremie Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong has been signed as Trent Alexander-Arnold's replacement
Decide goalkeeper plan
One position that has had a major reshuffle this summer has been between the sticks. Giorgi Mamardashvilli is finally set to move to Anfield following his loan back with Valencia next season.
Meanwhile, Hungarian wonderkid Armin Pecsi completed a bargain move to Anfield. Caoimhin Kelleher also departed the club for Premier League rivals Brentford.
As it stands, Alisson remains the club’s number one goalkeeper, but how long that remains the case is in question. Mamardashvilli is moving to the Premier League with designs on eventually usurping the brilliant Brazilian, who is already destined to go down as one of the Kop's great stoppers.
But with serious competition for his position, Slot will want a good look at all of his options, before the serious stuff starts next month.
Compile loan list
Slot will also need to decide which of the club's promising youngsters need moves away from Anfield to continue their development - and those who can stick with the senior squad.
The Reds have a number of rising talents in their ranks who could benefit from loan spells. That could potentially include Tyler Morton, Stefan Bajcetic, Trey Nyoni and Owen Beck among many others.
Slot will want a close look at some of the club’s young players during pre-season training and the summer’s friendlies, but some loans would certainly be worth thinking about.
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