Coaching Liverpool: Arne Slot sells Luis Diaz, signs Nico Williams and makes Chelsea transfer

Arne Slot has landed a dream job: you could tell by the beaming smile in his first interview. But the day-to-day reality of being Liverpool head coach will now be dawning on him, and there's no doubt that he has some tough decisions to make.

The squad he has inherited is loaded with talent, and high-level returning loan players like Tyler Morton and Sepp van den Berg will give Slot an even bigger headache than Jurgen Klopp had when it comes to picking a team. That's before even thinking about transfer business.

As head coach rather than manager, Slot will not have sole responsibility in this field, but he will nonetheless have to be thinking about who to add and who might be surplus to requirements. There are question marks over the future of Luis Diaz, and he will need to decide how highly he values the Colombian.

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As for incoming business, Slot may wonder if there is any business to be done with Chelsea, as the Blues seemingly try to strike deals hurriedly ahead of the June 30 'deadline' in respect of PSR accounting. Meanwhile, Nico Williams is a name being mentioned repeatedly as he shines at Euro 2024.

So what would we do if we were tasked with taking the wheel? Let's see how easy coaching Liverpool really is...

Luis Diaz sold

Welcome to the Arne Slot era. It's ruthless.

Luis Diaz was electric in his first six months at Liverpool, and could easily have been named as Player of the Match in both finals as the Reds secured a domestic double. But one serious injury later, and the winger has never quite looked the same.

There were signs that Diaz was recovering his form last season, and he remains the Liverpool winger most likely to try and actually beat a man. Slot would be reluctant to lose that skill. But the brutal reality is that the Colombian is lacking the end product needed to compete at the very top end of the game.

It may be that he can still add that to his game. But at 27, this is the last time he will represent peak resale value for Liverpool, and it makes sense to find out about Diaz's ceiling on somebody else's books. Barcelona appears the most likely candidate.

Nico Williams signs

If Diaz is going, Liverpool definitely needs at least one new attacker, and ideally two. Top of the checklist is the ability to beat a man, with Slot typically using wingers in a more or less traditional fashion (albeit still cutting in on their stronger foot).

Nico Williams fits the bill. He's rapid, he likes to take on defenders, and his output is impressive — particularly when it comes to assists. He needs to score more goals, but at 21, has far more time to add that to his game. Liverpool would also expect to see his numbers scale up in a better team.

With a release clause of just $62m (£49m/€58m), Williams is pretty good value in today's market, and Liverpool could fund the entire deal by selling Diaz. There are wage demands to factor in, but if Slot can sell the player on the Anfield vision, hopefully personal terms do not prove to be a major issue.

Chelsea resolve tested over Levi Colwill

Chelsea has been adamant it will not sell Levi Colwill as it looks for ways to ensure compliance with financial rules. Ian Maatsen has already moved to Aston Villa, with Omari Kellyman coming the other way.

But just in case the Blues still need to find some wriggle room ahead of June 30, Slot needs to be putting in a call to Colwill. After all, Liverpool is undoubtedly the more attractive destination at present.

Liverpool can promise him Champions League football, and given the center-back's clear talent, a pretty assured route to minutes as well. When Virgil van Dijk calls it a day, Colwill could easily be the long-term heir.

Able to play in the center or at left-back, Colwill could complete Liverpool's defensive business at a stroke, setting much of the back line up for years to come. It's a long shot for Slot, but one it's worth asking the question about.