Although it’s thought that Liverpool doesn’t view center back as a major priority this summer, Arne Slot is starting to worry a little bit about Virgil van Dijk ahead of the preseason.
Arne Slot is currently employed at Liverpool, but before long, he’ll be welcoming his new team back to the AXA Training Centre for the commencement of the preseason.
As of right now, he won’t have any new members to meet and greet next week, but that can still be taken care of this summer. Nevertheless, fans’ appetite for signings is rising.
The Reds’ roster could use some reinforcements in a few apparent areas. Priorities should include finding a new defender, a long-term Mohamed Salah substitute, and a new number six. If Adrian and Caoimhin Kelleher leave, goalkeeping should also be addressed.
However, it seems that Slot has other ideas. The ECHO claims that after giving his team some time to evaluate, the new Liverpool head coach has decided that finding a replacement center-back is not an urgent priority.
This is in spite of the club’s efforts to sign Leny Yoro, who seems to be holding out for Real Madrid. The 18-year-old is reportedly not considered a part of Liverpool’s anticipated transfer transaction. Whatever the team’s opinion on Yoro, Virgil van Dijk is the new center back that the team has to prioritize building.
But it appears that Slot has other plans. According to the ECHO, the new Liverpool head coach has determined that acquiring a replacement center-back is not an immediate priority after allowing his club some time to assess.
Despite the club’s best attempts, Leny Yoro appears to be waiting to join with Real Madrid. According to reports, the 18-year-old is not included in Liverpool’s planned transfer deal. Virgil van Dijk is the new center back that the squad has to give priority to developing, regardless of the team’s feelings about Yoro.
Liverpool needs to make preparations even if he decides to stay at Anfield longer. Although Ibrahima Konate is one of the best players in the world when healthy, his injury history makes him an unreliable option. Jarell Quansah, on the other hand, is undoubtedly going to be a part of those plans.
Furthermore, Liverpool should be aware more than most that it cannot take a chance on a player who is nearing the conclusion of his career rather than the beginning, since Van Dijk will turn 33 in a little over a week. That kind of play has burned the Reds before; in fact, it was the impetus behind last year’s midfield overhaul.
This summer, there have been indications that Van Dijk may not be performing at his previous level. Although he didn’t play at his best in Euro 2024, he demonstrated during the 2023–24 season that he is still one of the top defenders in the world.
Rafael van der Vaart, the Dutch icon, and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock both had harsh words for him after his performance against Austria on Tuesday. If he continues to perform at the same level for Liverpool the following season, Slot may have some challenging questions to respond to if he has truly determined that finding a new defender is not a top priority.
It is not a signing that should wait until later in the summer, even though he may still be thinking about it. Yoro and Riccardo Calafiori, for example, will undoubtedly be in high demand, therefore Liverpool must act quickly rather than taking a chance on competing for the leftovers at the end of August.
