Arna Slot set to concentrate Liverpool rebuild around four key players - Reports

According to reports coming out of England, new manager Arne Slot is making preparations to rebuild his Liverpool squad around four key players. This comes after the Feyenoord manager was officially announced as Jurgen Klopp's replacement, with the long-time German tactician leaving Anfield.

Slot has since been the Reds' main target for the managerial role after they were unable to land Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen. They also temporarily had an interest in Ruben Amorim before turning their eyes towards the Netherlands.

Now, the Dutch manager will be gearing up to meet with his staff on Merseyside this summer. According to The Telegraph (via Metro), he has already decided on his key players, with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Darwin Nunez in the spotlight.

There have been reports that Salah might make the switch to the Saudi Pro League, where he will be reunited with former teammates Fabinho, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino. However, the report has claimed that the Egyptian maestro will stay at the club, with Slot considering him a key player.

Virgil van Dijk's name is hardly a surprise, as the central defender has been a key part of Liverpool's squad in recent years, making 270 appearances since 2017. He has been one of their best players, helping them win the Premier League and the Champions League in recent years. He has since become the captain at Anfield, and Slot's reported decision to rebuild around him is understandable.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the Reds' vice-captain, having risen through the ranks to become one of the best right-backs in the world. The England international has won nearly every competition with his boyhood club, and he could well stay at the club for the rest of his career.

Darwin Nunez joined the club for €75 million fee plus €25 million in add-ons, which Liverpool could still pay to Benfica if the 24-year-old striker meets expectations. He has scored only 20 league goals since he joined up in 2022, but Arne Slot reportedly believes he can bring out the best in the Uruguayan.

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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher questions Manchester City success as Reds end Premier League season in 3rd

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will always have asterisks on their success because of profit and sustainability rules. The Cityzens have lifted an unprecedented four Premier League titles on the bounce, breaking points and goal records in nearly each season.

Carragher however believes that their success can not be compared to more “diligently abiding" projects like Liverpool's, writing in his Daily Telegraph column:

“Arsenal, just like Liverpool, also had to overcome another disadvantage in pursuit of top spot which cannot be ignored, no matter how much Guardiola, City and the Premier League wish to sweep it under the carpet... City, as we know, remain under investigation for fast-tracking their way to the summit and have 115 charges pending related to the years 2009-2018.”

The Reds legend will hope that Manchester City can be halted either on or off the pitch. The Abu Dhabi-funded club look set to dominate English football for many years to come, which will be a cause for concern to other Premier League juggernauts.