Liverpool youngster linked with Pep Lijnders reunion amid Slot hint

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot appears to have made a decision to three players who will be free to depart during the summer transfer window.

Whilst the Dutchman can now factor Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo into his pre-season plans, he's been running the rule over the club's youngsters since reporting to the AXA Training Centre last Friday.

Of course, the absence of a host of senior players isn't a surprise given many are either still on international duty with their respective nations or are away on holiday following their exploits earlier in the summer.

However, as noted by This Is Anfield, Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio have been notable in their absences especially given the limited centre-back options at Slot's disposal with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez still at the Euros and Ibrahima Konate set for a break following France's semi-final exit.

So with Jarell Quansah, Sepp van den Berg, Nat Phillips and Amara Nallo seemingly ahead of Williams and Koumetio with regard to Slot's plans, could this mean the pair have been made available for transfers?

Given the returns of the aforementioned senior defenders will push Williams and Koumetio even further down the pecking order, it does appear that the pair don't have a long-term future at Anfield and therefore an exit makes sense for all parties.

Clark and Lijnders reunion on the cards?

Another absentee has been highly-rated midfielder Bobby Clark, who made 12 first-team appearances last season, scoring in the Europa League tie against Sparta Prague and coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea.

The 19-year-old is being linked with loan moves to Norwich City, RB Leipzig and Salzburg, the latter of whom are now coached by ex-Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders which means a reunion could be on the cards.

Interestingly, as a top talent, Clark certainly ticks all the boxes as the perfect signing for Lijnders who has revealed his strategy in the transfer market.

"I want to work with talents and players who want to take the next step," the Dutchman said at his press conference unveiling.

"If there is a real top talent out there, we will pounce on him."