Arne Slot urged to sign Jürgen Klopp's 'favorite player' in Liverpool transfer swoop

Arne Slot will have plenty of work to do when he arrives as the new Liverpool boss this summer. Ahead of the transfer window opening, the incoming head coach has been urged to sign one of Jürgen Klopp’s favorite players.

While there has been a marked improvement from the Reds this season, it is clear that improvements are still needed in the squad. No area of the pitch should be off the table for Slot as he makes his way to Anfield.

Defense would appear to be the obvious priority, while a new number six could also make a big difference. With Liverpool’s forwards misfiring in recent weeks though, Slot and new sporting director Richard Hughes could also take a look at attacking options.

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That could even become a priority if the club chooses to offload any of its current options. Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez have both recently been linked with moves to Barcelona, while Mohamed Salah is expected to attract interest from Saudi Arabia again.

Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has been touted as a possible option, although the Daily Star has suggested he could cost up to $126m (£100m/€116m). Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge though believes the Reds should be targeting a different option.

“Do we need a new striker? I presume, and it’s only me presuming, that the club will have to let Mohamed Salah go because of financial reasons,” Aldridge told the ECHO.

“And if they do, I’d just go and get Jarrod Bowen. I’ve said it before, Bowen, if you look at the players out there. If you can get him that is, with all due respect to West Ham.

“We have to see if he’s available, and everyone is available at the right price. The likes of Bowen, even Ollie Watkins, they are the types of players forward-wise if Mo goes that we have to be looking at.

“I don’t think we could get Watkins because Villa are pretty much in the Champions League now. They’re going to keep their players, but they’re two players who would fit the bill for me.”

Signing Bowen would certainly get Klopp’s approval. The outgoing Liverpool manager has made no secret of his admiration for the West Ham star.

"[Bowen is] probably my favourite player besides all my players I have to say,” he said before a Carabao Cup tie against the Hammers in December. “It's great what he is doing and how he has developed."

Liverpool.com says: Bowen is a superb player — you don’t get that kind of praise from Klopp unless you are. There is one major problem in signing him though.

Bowen only signed a seven-year deal back in October, meaning he’s under contract until 2030. That almost guarantees that West Ham won’t let him go cheaply.

The fee quoted for Gordon seems a bit of a stretch for Liverpool this summer. You’d have to imagine West Ham would demand something similar to Bowen, which might rule him out of a move to Anfield.