Arne Slot goes public with wish and Liverpool MUST grant it

Arne Slot has made it perfectly clear what he wants. Now it's up to Liverpool to deliver.

Liverpool haven't actually given Arne Slot much. The Dutchman arrived in the summer but inherited Jurgen Klopp's squad almost entirely.

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The only real changes were Thiago, Joel Matip and Adrian disappearing and Federico Chiesa arriving. And even then, Chiesa hasn't really played.

Slot doesn't appear to fancy him in any 'serious' games - only 28 Premier League minutes this season, split across three appearances. Not exactly game time afforded to a player Slot is happy with.

Things will change in 2025, however. Liverpool are set to overhaul their squad as several players leave the club and a bunch arrive.

Anfield Watch understands a major switch-up is coming in attack, for instance. The club plans to move on at least a couple of their senior forwards for new faces.

There are plans in defence and midfield, too, by all accounts. Liverpool want to finally give Slot his squad - something he's certainly earned as he's all but won the Premier League title with Klopp's.

Slot hasn't actually been very vocal about what he wants, either. Not in public, anyway

But he has made one wish perfectly clear to everyone listening. And Liverpool must grant it.

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Arne Slot wants Virgil van Dijk

"The only thing I know is I want Virgil to be here next year,” said Slot in a press conference on Friday. It doesn't get any clearer than that.

Slot wants Van Dijk to remain at the club and honestly, it would be ridiculous for Liverpool not to give him that. It all feels like the easiest win in the world.

Van Dijk remains the world's greatest centre-back. There is no one the club could sign who could replace him and any halfway realistic replacement is a significant downgrade.

That's just the reality of having a player as good as Van Dijk. If the manager wants him to stay, the player wants to stay and the fans want him to stay, then there is no good reason to put this headache on yourself.

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And yet, that's the direction things are heading. Van Dijk will leave Liverpool on a free transfer this summer as things stand.

But after everything Slot has achieved this season, Liverpool should back him on this. It's as low risk as it gets and the worst case is Van Dijk declining a bit and all you've got is a slightly overpaid centre-back who brings all the experience in the world.

Slot going public gives us hope that Van Dijk is getting that new contract. Anfield Watch understood that to be the case back in November and we still believe it.

And after these comments, Liverpool can't afford to let this one slip.

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