Arne Slot expected to hand Liverpool youngster first-team chance in pre-season
Arne Slot’s expected arrival at Liverpool will dawn a new era at Liverpool. It could represent an opportunity for some of those players on the fringes of the squad to force their way into first-team contention.
Slot looks set to succeed Jürgen Klopp as the Reds’ new boss this summer. The Dutchman all but confirmed his appointment after Feyenoord’s 5-0 win over PEC Zwolle on Sunday, having seemingly bid farewell to the club’s supporters at full-time.
Assuming all goes to plan, he will arrive at Anfield in time for what could be a busy summer on the transfer front. With Richard Hughes also beginning his time as the club’s sporting director, the pair will be tasked with continuing the rebuild that was started last year in midfield.
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It’s not just new arrivals that might be looked at though. A number of the club’s youngsters, including the likes of Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns have impressed this season, and may well be given bigger roles during pre-season.
Slot will also get the chance to look at some of the players who have been out on loan this season. Fábio Carvalho will be aiming to kick on after enjoying an improved second half of the season with Hull City, having been left frustrated by his first spell at RB Leipzig.
And he’ll be joined back at Liverpool by Sepp van den Berg. The defender, still only 22, has been with the Reds for nearly five years now, although most of his playing time has come away from Anfield.
Van den Berg had taken in spells with Preston and Schalke before joining Mainz on loan this season. He has impressed in the club’s efforts to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga, and has even been outperforming Virgil van Dijk in one manner.
He could now be set to get his chance to stake a claim for a spot in Liverpool’s first team next season. According to the Mirror, Van den Berg is expected to given the opportunity to catch the eye by Slot during pre-season.
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool will be in need of a new defensive option next season. Joël Matip looks set to leave the club, while Ibrahima Konaté’s injury record hasn’t proved reliable enough so far.
A new center-back will likely be a priority during the transfer window, but it will be worth Slot taking a look at Van den Berg in pre-season to see how he has developed while on loan. Even if he doesn’t prove to be a first-choice option, it will still be handy to have another player challenging for a spot in the side.