3 weeks ago
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After a hectic start to the transfer window for Liverpool, activity has slowed in recent weeks.
Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, and Giorgi Mamardashvili offer four intriguing arrivals this summer as Arne Slot looks to reshape the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp. A striker is the next priority, with the Reds pushing on in their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike in the same week that Newcastle United were contacted regarding Alexander Isak’s availability.
A center-back is also likely to sign before the end of the window, although it’s understood that Slot is more relaxed about that particular area, given Watru Endo’s versatility. Marc Guehi continues to interest the club, although it would appear a deal is not close for the Crystal Palace man. Jorrel Hato is another player who has been linked with the Reds in recent months.
An addition at the heart of defense would seemingly plug all the obvious holes in this Liverpool side, albeit a few minor issues do still remain. One, in fact, has been highlighted by transfer activity elsewhere in the Premier League this week.
That Arsenal brought in Noni Madueke from Chelsea raised some eyebrows across the division, especially given he cost an initial £48.5million ($65.5m). It’s a significant fee for a player whose primary aim is to provide back up for Bukayo Saka.
Left-footed wingers are at a premium at this level, so for Arsenal to have two does certainly strengthen its squad depth, albeit other areas remain lacking in Mikel Arteta’s roster.
Likewise, Manchester City this summer added Rayan Cherki to a group that already includes Savinho, Oscar Bobb, Phil Foden, James McAtee, and Bernardo Silva, who are left-footers comfortable playing off the right.
Tottenham Hotspur has signed Mohammed Kudus in addition to Dejan Kulusevski; Manchester United is on the verge of bringing in Bryan Mbuemo to rival Amad, while Chelsea has Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.
Yet, it’s a luxury Liverpool does not possess. Admittedly, the Reds have the best left-footed winger in Premier League history, but should Mohamed Salah drop out, there is a dearth of like-for-like replacements at Slot’s disposal.
Ben Doak is the only obvious substitution, but at 19 and having never started a Premier League game, he would hardly be considered a reliable alternative at this stage. That he could still leave this summer is another complication, with sources revealing to Liverpool.com that a potential move is still in the offing but dependent on other deals.
Harvey Elliott is another solution if Salah misses out, but the left-footer isn’t seen as a natural winger, clearly isn’t trusted by Slot, and, like Doak, could be off this summer.
Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa have played off the right before, while Jeremie Frimpong’s ability to occupy a more advanced role was partly what attracted Liverpool to complete a deal for the Dutchman this summer.
But Slot prefers his wingers to cut inside, and selecting a right-footer on the right would naturally upset the team's equilibrium and flow.
It’s a problem Liverpool will have to contend with this season, which poses a new challenge for Slot. Salah started all 38 league games last term, but due to the African Cup of Nations this winter, that will not be the case this campaign. In fact, Salah could miss up to seven games across December and January, depending on Egypt’s success.
Should the normally injury-free star pick up any niggles or knocks in the autumn or spring months, and suddenly the thought of Liverpool missing its prized asset for half the campaign doesn’t feel too far-fetched.
In reality, with Salah now 33 and having just two years left on his contract, finding another viable option to play off the right must be occupying Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards’ long-term plans. This is a bigger issue than this season’s title defense.
But given the need to strengthen elsewhere this summer and the number of new arrivals already secured, a new left-footed winger is unlikely to sign in the coming weeks, even of the problem is slowly creeping up on Liverpool.
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