Slot must now sell “monster” Liverpool talent this summer

A video circulated on social media within the wake of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat towards Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast. It depicted Trent Alexander-Arnold in entrance of a charged away crowd, singing for his or her title-winning squad.

However Alexander-Arnold didn’t reduce the determine of a jubilant hero, who has performed an essential position for his boyhood membership in profitable his second Premier League title. Certainly, the 26-year-old was unreadable, although maybe the extra cynical amongst us would counsel he regarded forlorn, poignant.

The truth might be extra easy: Trent is becoming a member of Actual Madrid as a free agent this summer time and has been met with essential response, booed by his personal followers at Anfield final weekend.

It is a nuanced debate, however one which stays at its core a sorry conclusion to the Reds profession of one in all Liverpool’s biggest contemporaries, whose rise from the academy has been in keeping with the illustrious successes of Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot.

However he is leaving with an environment of hostility, and it is an actual disgrace that the entire saga was not carried out with extra transparency and tact.

For instance, Harvey Elliott might nicely be a part of Alexander-Arnold in leaving the membership this summer time, however to an entirely completely different response, little doubt.

Elliott, 22, has been at Liverpool since he was 16, becoming a member of from Fulham. He is performed 146 appearances for the membership, notching 35 objective contributions.

Whereas Klopp hinted earlier than he left that one in all his largest regrets was not giving Elliott extra taking part in time, Slot has restricted the rising midfielder’s motion to that of a bit-part participant, and his future is now being questioned.

Elliott scored towards Brighton on Monday night time, tapping in from shut vary following superb work from Conor Bradley.

He additionally assisted Dominik Szoboszlai’s fortuitous objective earlier than half-time, although it was extra of a ‘Busquets-esque’ go than a flash of artistic inspiration.

Nonetheless, Elliott has demonstrated his efficiency when referred to as upon this yr, scoring 5 targets and laying on three assists throughout all competitions regardless of solely beginning six occasions.

As per FBref, Elliott additionally ranks among the many prime 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers throughout Europe this season for passes tried, the highest 1% for progressive passes and the highest 21% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Regardless of all this, it is wanting ever extra seemingly the younger playmaker might be offered this summer time, particularly after his post-match feedback.

Newcastle United have been named amongst Elliott’s admirers in current weeks, and whereas it is a powerful tablet to swallow, the ace may be proper in admitting he must do the proper factor for his profession. FSG could be in search of out a £50m price to let him depart.

And he isn’t the one younger star who faces the axe this summer time, with Liverpool maybe needing to promote Jarell Quansah too.

Why Liverpool should promote Jarell Quansah

In December 2023, Joel Matip’s skilled profession got here to an abrupt finish. He did not realize it on the time, however the skilled Liverpool centre-half could be compelled into retirement by the ACL harm sustained in a frenzied Premier League victory over Fulham.

Liverpool had been a tad threadbare on the again, however up stepped all 6 foot 5 of Quansah from the academy; the yr earlier than, he’d been a fixture at Bristol Rovers in League One, however performed an essential position to information Liverpool again into the Champions League.

Issues have not gone so easily since Klopp left final summer time, although, and the 22-year-old might now be sweating over his future on Merseyside, restricted to a peripheral position in Slot’s system.

After his rip-roaring begin to senior life at Liverpool, Quansah has stumbled. He is not but fallen by the wayside, however there’s certain to be a priority over his marketing campaign as a complete, with Tactically Matt saying he “by no means performs, and when he has this season, he isn’t been good.”

The info pool is admittedly smaller, however who may argue Quansah has retained his lofty stage since Slot took the reins? Who may say the younger graduate is able of promise at Liverpool, assured in his possibilities of incomes common motion subsequent yr?

It is all gone a bit awry, however Quansah is now a Premier League champion after taking part in an instrumental position in clinching the Carabao Cup final yr.

On condition that he is been hailed for his “absolute monster” performances by expertise scout Jacek Kulig, it is clear the long run is vibrant for this younger buck. Nonetheless, his future is a nebulous factor proper now.

Highly effective, dynamic and good on the ball, there’s lots to love. There have, certainly, been flashes. Although such moments are higher outlined by an extended variation of the phrase: flashes within the pan.

He lacks that particular one thing that characterised his maiden marketing campaign as a first-team common, and although there’s ample time for Quansah to rise again to the fore, Liverpool could also be excited by cashing in, with Newcastle additionally within the defender.

Whereas Soccer Insider have revealed a current report suggesting Quansah may very well be allowed to depart on mortgage this summer time, The Magpies have registered their curiosity in current months, with The Occasions claiming in March Eddie Howe’s aspect felt assured a bid price £30m plus add-ons may tempt FSG to money in.

Liverpool are in want of sweeping adjustments this season and Slot’s reluctance to closely rotate has confirmed a considered name, for the Reds have faltered most of the time when taking part in with out a few of the stars of the present.

Quansash may really feel considerably scapegoated, however since Liverpool are making big-money strikes, cashing in may be a good suggestion.