Liverpool needs a big summer to help Arne Slot reach another level with his new team, despite the Dutch head coach being set to confirm a first Premier League title since 2020 at the first time of asking. That is the view of Reds legend Jamie Carragher.
Virgil van Dijk spoke last week about his feeling that this was going to be a "big summer" in terms of transfers and time on the training field. And that no doubt contributed to him signing a new two-year contract extension to remain at Anfield until 2027.
Carragher, meanwhile, has been adamant for some time that several signings could be needed. Last month, he made the argument for six players coming in even though Liverpool is set to win the title by a number of points likely in double figures.
"When a team wins the league, you anticipate one or two big signings to keep the juggernaut moving," Carragher wrote in his Daily Telegraph column. "In all honesty, when looking at Slot’s squad, it feels like he may need as many as six before next summer.
"That is a statement you would expect to make about an underperforming team, or one requiring an overhaul. Reinforcements are required independent of whether the big three out-of-contract stars stay.
"Liverpool needs a left-back to compete with Andy Robertson, extending the Scottish captain’s Anfield career by reducing the necessity for him to play every game. Liverpool needs a center-back to ensure there is no crisis if Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are unavailable.
"Also a deep central midfielder so that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are not as overburdened next season as they have been in this one. Add to that an attacking midfielder who will score and create more than Dominik Szoboszlai. And finally, a left winger and center-forward who can win games as often as Mohamed Salah."
This week, ahead of Liverpool beating Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, Carragher spoke with Slot about his first season. And that chat hasn't changed his opinion on what is required next.
"There was obviously a lot of noise outside the club when a figure as big as Jurgen Klopp moves on," he said on Sky Sports at the final whistle in the East Midlands. "[Slot] hasn't tried to impersonate Klopp in any sort of way.
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Fanatics"I think you can really tell that just before the final whistle [last week against West Ham], it almost looked like we were watching Klopp on the side of the pitch. Even at the end of the game, he went over to The Kop and did the fist pumps. Not quite like Klopp but it was telling in the interview, he was just not used to losing.
"[Fulham] was only the second game Liverpool have lost all season and there has been a calmness about him and the club. He was calm about the fact that he didn't need to buy anybody. When does that ever happen? A new manager comes in and there is always talk that he is going to bring two or three players in.
"There is a lot of turmoil around a lot of the big clubs, but at Liverpool it just feels like they are in control. But I still think there is a big job to be done in the summer. Having assessed the team in the last 12 months, even though they are going to win the league, he can really put his imprint on the team next season."
