Liverpool is still adjusting to difficult circumstances after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. This weekend, though, the first pre-season friendly of the summer will take place.
The hope must be, after Liverpool's players decided to play the game, that it can help in the process where the Reds edge back to some form of normality. Slowly, and in time, the focus will shift back to preparations for the new season again.
In part, that will be on the training field, but there is more work to be done in the transfer market too. Sporting director Richard Hughes has more decisions to make, with several players still facing uncertainty over their futures.
Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott are among those who could be on the move, while Liverpool might yet need to dip into the market at least once for a center-back, where it currently looks short of numbers.
Elsewhere around the Premier League, there is plenty happening. Newcastle United, for instance, committed to paying up to $74 million (£55 million) to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest earlier this week.
Arsenal is moving forward in its attempts to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP while its fans seemingly fume — online, at least — at the capture of Noni Madueke. And Chelsea, of course, is splashing the cash and making plenty of bold calls in the market.
goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC hugging each other
Liverpool, England - March 11: goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool FC hugging each other during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) (Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
With five weeks to go until the new season kicks off again, when Liverpool hosts Bournemouth on August 15, things are about to heat up in terms of transfers.
According to L'Equipe, Chelsea is trying to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, even though he has publicly stated that he wants to stay with the French club.
"My priority is to stay at PSG and sign a new deal," the 26-year-old said last month. "I don’t think there will be any problems in the negotiations."
The two sides are set to face one another today in the Club World Cup, which is another factor that will make this period for anyone involved. A few hours before Chelsea's 2024/25 season ends, Liverpool will kick off its next campaign against Preston.
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In terms of everything in its control, Liverpool has positioned itself well as the new season appears on the horizon. Arne Slot has some new faces and some time on the training field, while the clubs that are chasing his side down are still works in progress.
At Arsenal, there is more quality required in the final third. Arguably, even if Gyokeres gets over the line, that will remain the case. At Chelsea, there is the usual busyness but no real game-changing additions.
Manchester City, currently taking a break after the Club World Cup, has brought in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri, but has a long way to catch up. Pep Guardiola's side finished last season a long way behind.
In terms of what it can control, Liverpool is in a very strong position. Elsewhere, the scramble in the transfer market seems set to begin.