Liverpool will elevate the Premier League title this season – perhaps even this month.
Arne Slot will elevate the trophy in his first season as first-team boss, and Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will get their arms on it for a second time earlier than gearing as much as defend their title after signing much-anticipated contract extensions.
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold seems to be only one month away from ending his taking part in profession on Merseyside, FSG shall be delighted with their success in tying down the outfit’s two greatest legends forward of Slot’s second time period.
Liverpool shall be trying to defend their Premier League title whereas difficult for the opposite items of silverware, which proved an excessive amount of to safe this 12 months.
New signings will circulation via, for positive, however the significance of extending the skipper’s keep can’t be understated and deserves a better look.
Van Dijk’s new Liverpool contract
Van Dijk’s new deal will see him keep because the chief of Slot’s squad for the following two seasons, incomes a somewhat first rate wage too, some £400k per week.
The 33-year-old all the time wished to stay on the membership however for no matter purpose talks dragged on interminably. It additionally bears noting that he was approached by a lot of hopefuls – together with the lucre of the Saudi Professional League’s heavyweights – however made it clear that Liverpool is his residence and that FSG had promised him funding and a undertaking apt for silverware over the following few years.
He’ll go down as one of many definitive defenders – if not the – of his period, inspirational and efficient at Liverpool’s again.
With Alexander-Arnold anticipated to maneuver to Madrid and Robertson at risk of being changed this summer season, Van Dijk may consolidate his Liverpool profession with a staggering variety of appearances, eclipsed solely by Salah and Jordan Henderson because the Klopp period started.
Most Liverpool Appearances – Present Squad | ||
|---|---|---|
# | Participant | Appearances |
1. | Mohamed Salah | 395 |
2. | Trent Alexander-Arnold | 349 |
3. | Andy Robertson | 339 |
4. | Virgil van Dijk | 314 |
5. | Alisson Becker | 292 |
Information through Transfermarkt | ||
He is a real legend and can go down as one of many best gamers in Liverpool’s lengthy historical past. Van Dijk actually is not accomplished but, however FSG could be prudent to exchange him this summer season, signing a brand new star who may be willed into form over the following few years alongside the Dutchman.
Earlier than lastly taking his place.
Liverpool chasing Van Dijk inheritor
Van Dijk could be staying put, however he isn’t getting any youthful and Liverpool might want to put together for his eventual departure. Signing Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen this summer season could be a reasonably good approach to go about that.
The younger Spain worldwide has been driving the crest of a wave since transferring from Juventus to England’s south coast final summer season, and in keeping with Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, has been positioned proper on the high of Liverpool’s want record.
Chelsea have made contact with the 20-year-old’s reps nevertheless it’s FSG who lead the race in the intervening time, having held discussions with the participant’s camp for a number of weeks.
A variety of suitors are eager, although, for Huijsen has been unbelievable below Andoni Iraola this 12 months and has a £50m launch clause that every one events anticipate to be activated this summer season.
Why Liverpool are determined for Dean Huijsen
Huijsen is younger and his knowledge pool shallow, however from the proof of the previous few years, for Roma (on mortgage) and now Bournemouth, it is already clear that he is received the potential to turn out to be a celebrity.
Dutch-born, Huijsen was reared in Spain earlier than making the transfer from Malaga’s youth scene to affix Juventus’ academy aged 16.
He regarded promising, alright, however the Previous Girl may do with an additional penny and cashed him in to Bournemouth final summer season, claiming £15m for his or her younger prospect.
Huijsen has flourished on English soil, and no mistake. Already labelled a “world-class” participant within the making by one analyst, he is featured prominently for the Cherries this time period and certainly attracted the eye of each high-profile membership price their salt because the market beckons.
As per FBref, the rangy star really ranks among the many high 15% of defenders within the Premier League this 12 months for aim involvements, the highest 7% for shot-creating actions, the highest 3% for interceptions and clearances and the highest 20% for aerial battles gained per 90.
He’d distinction properly with Van Dijk over the following couple of years earlier than lastly taking the Netherlands captain’s place within the seasons to come back.
Premier League 24/25 – Van Dijk vs Huijsen | ||
|---|---|---|
Stats (* per recreation) | Van Dijk | Huijsen |
Matches (begins) | 32 (32) | 26 (21) |
Objectives | 2 | 2 |
Assists | 1 | 1 |
Clear sheets | 13 | 6 |
Touches* | 89.4 | 60.5 |
Move completion | 92% | 84% |
Ball recoveries* | 3.2 | 3.4 |
Tackles + interceptions* | 2.7 | 3.0 |
Clearances* | 5.2 | 5.8 |
Duels (gained)* | 4.7 (67%) | 3.9 (56%) |
Stats through Sofascore | ||
It is also price noting that Huijsen is a two-footed centre-back who has plied his commerce on the left aspect of the pitch this season, additional materials for the argument that he must be a precedence for the Reds this summer season.
Huijsen may not be as commanding within the duel however he shares many technical and defensive qualities with the Anfield captain, thus in good arms to maximise his potential if shifting to Liverpool as an alternative of, say, Chelsea.
There may be additionally, after all, the elephant within the nook that’s Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool contract.
Konate has been a formidable associate alongside Van Dijk this season, however he is a meagre 12 months away from free company and negotiations for an extension have turn out to be protracted.
Liverpool will not need to lose the Frenchman on a free, and thus may money on this summer season, one thing which may strike Huijsen as compelling, for he could be in with a fantastic probability of slotting proper in as Van Dijk’s star associate within the rearguard.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has remarked that Huijsen is “probably the most in-demand centre-back on the planet,” however Liverpool’s present place on the entrance of the race makes a telling touch upon the state of issues at Anfield.
It is a huge summer season up forward, and if Huijsen is introduced in to shore up an already spectacular backline, Liverpool would possibly simply be capable to attain even greater subsequent 12 months.
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Liverpool are set to reward Arne Slot and his squad with a number of thrilling signings this summer season.
