As his first acquisitions at Anfield, Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot hopes to bring in two fellow countrymen after learning how much Teun Koopmeiners would cost and after “making contact” regarding a fantastic backup target.
On Merseyside, a new era has officially begun as Slot assumes the enormous shoes of Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. At the conclusion of the previous season, the German manager, who was well-known for his accomplishments and endearing demeanor, stepped down, and Slot was selected to take over.
While already ensconsed in his office in the club’s Kirkby training complex, the club were only able to welcome back at clutch of first-team players to pre-season training on Friday, with Slot – and new sporting director Richard Hughes – conducting their very first interviews since assuming their new roles later that afternoon.
Slot certainly made a big impression, giving Liverpool fans a little insight into his tactics and formations as well as saying the right things by a number of stars, such as Darwin Nunez, whose futures are under the spotlight.
Together with Michael Edwards, CEO of football, and the two guys, Liverpool will aim to further bridge the gap between the English and European elites while also preserving and advancing Klopp’s wonderful legacy.
And now that he has a sizable transfer budget at his disposal, talks on the roles and players Slot and Co. would like to bring to Anfield are well advanced.
As a result, TEAMtalk has been informed that Slot is focusing on two positions as a priority, with a left-sided centre-half and a new midfielder top of his wishlist.
It’s said that Slot has highlighted Atalanta star Koopmeiners as one possible target because a new midfielder is seen to be a crucial acquisition.
The 26-year-old was one of the Italian team’s most impressive players last year as they won the Europa League and placed fourth in Serie A. Koopmeiners had an incredible season, scoring 15 goals and dishing out seven assists both individually and collectively.
The athlete did, however, express in March that he intended to move on this summer, saying, “I have indicated to Atalanta that I want to make a move next summer.”
However, there has to be a really good deal to make up for that for Atlanta. I’m having a great time in Italy with my girlfriend, but I can tolerate the rain.
“I hope there will be great options that I can think about. And then I hope that Atalanta receives a nice amount for me, because I had a wonderful time there.”
Slot, meanwhile, hopes to go Double Dutch this summer with another move on for a Netherlands star with Jeremie Frimpong also in his sights.
The Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back has also enjoyed a stellar season of his own, where Xabi Alonso’s side came within a whisker of going the season completely unbeaten and a clean sweep of trophies.
While they remained invincible in Germany, doing the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, they let slip the chance of an unprecedented Treble after losing to Atalanta 3-0 in the Europa League final.