Arne Slot has suggested that Liverpool will stick to their transfer model and not buy experienced players to replace their departing legends.
With Andy Robertson and Mo Salah leaving Liverpool this summer, there will be just two players, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, left from the starting XI that beat Tottenham in the Champions League final.
While the likes of Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones remain from Liverpool’s time under Jurgen Klopp, a dearth of players exists whose mentality was honed by the previous manager.
However, the relative lack of experience among the squad won’t impact owners FSG’s approach to the transfer market this summer, with Slot explaining last week: “Our model is completely clear.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during a press conference at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“That is not to say we cannot make an exception because the club signed Wataru Endo, and maybe Federico Chiesa was a little bit above the age we usually sign.
“I don’t think that if this club has been successful the way we are having, we are going to change our model completely after a season that has not been so great, especially because in the 16 years they (FSG) are here, they have not won the league 16 times.
“There were more seasons where results were not as expected, but they have always kept the same model which I signed for, which Richard (Hughes) signed for and which we are all aligned for.”
Andy Robertson: “There was no contract on the table”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 11, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson applauds the supporters after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. The game ended 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The contracts handed to Van Dijk and Salah last summer were the exception, not the rule.
The idea of not offering declining players lucrative contracts is a part of Liverpool’s transfer approach and the reason why Robertson wasn’t given a new deal.
Robertson explained to the Athletic: “It’s not like I’ve knocked back a contract or anything, there was no contract on the table.
“It was a conversation we all had. It was a conversation of ‘OK, this is what I want to do, I want to play and I believe I’ve still got the ability to play’.
“I think I have showed that this season.”
The 32-year-old has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to join Tottenham should they stay in the Premier League, indicating he still feels capable of playing regularly at a good level.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Friday, March 6, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Cup 5th Round match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Molineux. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Milos Kerkez taking over as first-choice at left-back, Liverpool clearly didn’t feel Robertson’s wage demands were suitable for a squad player.
Perhaps the merits of his presence in the dressing room would have been intangible, though. Having a driven winner around the team is vital, particularly given Salah’s exit.
Liverpool may have made the right choice on paper, but whether it is actually the correct decision, only time will tell.