With the impending arrival of manager Arne Slot, Liverpool are in talks to build a team to the Dutchman’s liking, with the emphasis on negotiations with Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contracts expire in June 2025.
Liverpool are expected to give top priority to strengthening at centre-back, where 32-year-old defender Joel Matip is likely to leave, but it seems likely that the attackers could also be leveraged.
Reporter David Ornstein prefaced his report with information from multiple sources, saying that they are looking to acquire a wide player.
“I’ve already heard from multiple contacts they’re [Liverpool] looking for a wide player,”
“Now, I don’t know if that’s to add to what they’ve already got. Is it because there’s been speculation around the future of Luis Diaz who is yet to sign a new contract which is quite unusual for a player who’s done so well. He’s been linked with moves elsewhere, let’s wait and see on that.”
“But it is a bit of a bulging in-tray for the new hierarchy.”
The Athletic FC podcast
Colombian international Luis Diaz is said to be of interest to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. He has been the most consistent player in the attackers’ ranks this season as he has continued to create attacking opportunities from the left wing in a season riddled with injuries.
The 27-year-old winger has been linked with a move to Spain, with his father saying that he has dreamt of playing for Barcelona since he was a child. However, at the moment it is hard to imagine a future in which they would let go of a player who is an important regular.
If a big-money offer were to come in, he might move on to a different front, but it would have to be from Paris, not financially-struggling Barcelona.
So what sort of line-up of Liverpool attackers will Liverpool have next season…?