Liverpool will embark on a new era this season with Arne Slot having replaced Jurgen Klopp as manager at Anfield.
After almost a decade under the past regime, there is a mix of nerves and optimism over the change and it will be fascinating to see how Liverpool transition under the Dutchman.
Transfers will be crucial to Slot rebuilding Liverpool in his image and we’ve looked at five players who could join Liverpool this summer.
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Nico Williams is a name on the radar of Europe’s top teams after a stunning summer at Euro 2024 with Spain. The 21-year-old has been one of the tournament’s stars for La Roja, with several eye-catching performances of pace, power and fearless ball-carrying.
Williams has insisted he remains happy at Athletic Bilbao, who he helped to a first major trophy in 40 years with Copa del Rey success last season. Still, a release clause of around β¬50m in his contract means the Spanish side are vulnerable to losing the academy product.
Liverpool are well-stocked across their forward line but with doubts over the long-term futures of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, an addition has been mooted. Williams can thrive from either flank and recorded 19 assists in all competitions in 2023-24.
Nico Williams π#EURO2024 | #ESPITA pic.twitter.com/JEXNmhNKwW
β UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 20, 2024
Full of flair and speed, his arrival would inject an x-factor into a Liverpool forward line with the second-biggest underperformance in xG (-13.32) in the Premier League last season.
Alan Varela (FC Porto)
Jurgen Klopp began Liverpool’s midfield rebuild last summer with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch all brought in, alongside Wataru Endo. The latter turned 31 in February, however, and was viewed as a short-term solution in defensive midfield after the Reds missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.
Alan Varela is a name linked with becoming Liverpool’s longer-term anchor after an impressive debut season in European football. The 23-year-old signed for Porto from Boca Junior last summer and made 44 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24.
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β FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 4, 2024
A tenacious tackler with a good reading of the game and ability in possession, Varela has a β¬60m release clause in Portugal and has been dubbed ‘the next Javier Mascherano’. That label is sure to excite Liverpool fans with Mascherano having been a big fan favourite across three seasons at Anfield.
Lutsharel Geertruida – Feyenoord
New managers often return for familiar faces and Geertruida appears the likeliest Feyenoord recruit for Liverpool this summer. The defender has entered the final 12 months of his deal in Rotterdam and could be available for a knockdown fee, with PSG also pursuing a deal.
Geertruida has emerged as one of the Eredivisie’s best under Slot at De Kuip, where he scored eight goals and provided five assists from right-back in 2023-24.
Last season, he ranked in the top two percent of Eredivisie full-backs for goals, non-penalty xG, progressive passes, passes into the final third, and pass accuracy (89.6%) and in the top 10 percent for attempted passes, percentage of dribblers tackled, aerial duels won and progressive carries per game.
13 – Lutsharel Geertruida π³π± was directly involved in more goals than any other defender in the Eredivisie last season (13), scoring eight goals and providing five assists. Outlet. #OnesToWatch #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Fyl5dPh4aR
β OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 10, 2024
Equally at home at centre-back or full-back, the 23-year-old could be an excellent addition to replace Joel Matip and aid increased minutes in midfield for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen)
A member of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten title-winning team, Piero Hincapie has been tracked by Liverpool’s recruitment team in recent months.
The Ecuadorian has impressed as a left-sided defender since swapping Club AtlΓ©tico Talleres for European football, offering flexibility for the Bundesliga champions with his dual comfort at centre-back or left-back, making him an attractive option for the Reds.
Hincapie. Slick π₯@bayer04_en || #UEL pic.twitter.com/hEshBfvpPt
β UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 14, 2023
Hincapie would offer cover for both Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson and offer Liverpool a different defensive dynamic, given the Reds lack a natural left-footed centre-back as things stand. With Joel Matip having also departed, there is a need to reinforce the heart of defence with the long-term in mind.
Anthony Patterson (Sunderland)
Liverpool are likely to sign a goalkeeper this summer with CaoimhΓnΒ Kelleher expected to push for first-team football and Adrian having turned down a new deal to join Real Betis.
VΓtΔzslav JaroΕ‘ will be promoted to the senior squad after winning an Austrian double on loan at Sturm Graz and making his Czech Republic debut this summer, but additional cover is required for Alisson.
Anthony Patterson’s name continues to be circled with the Sunderland shot-stopper a player who would boost Liverpool’s homegrown contingent. The 24-year-old ranked fourth in the Championship for clean sheets in 2023-24, while only four goalkeepers in the second tier had a higher figure for expected goals prevented.
A huge save from our number one β
π₯ @Anthony_Patter1#SAFC pic.twitter.com/YqXVxM3gUL
β Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 27, 2023
