As Liverpool prepare to move on from Jurgen Klopp, the summer transfer window will be a key one, and it could be Arne Slot making the big decisions.
Feyenoord manager Slot has emerged as the leading candidate to take the reins when Klopp ends his nine-year tenure in the summer. The Dutchman, who turned down Spurs before the London club appointed Ange Postecoglou, is set to follow up last season's title win with a second-place finish behind PSV Eindhoven this term.
The returning Michael Edwards is likely to have a major say in any transfer business over the summer, but Klopp had involvement during Edwards' previous spell. Slot has overseen significant player turnover across the last 12 months, just as Klopp did with his midfield rebuild at Anfield, and he knows how to bring starters into a squad.
Feyenoord signed more than 10 players - either permanently or on loan, since the summer of 2023. Here, Mirror Football has taken a look at the last 10 to get a feel for what Liverpool fans might expect if the 45-year-old comes in.
Anis Hadj Moussa
Slot's most recent signing is a player who hasn't actually joined Feyenoord yet. Algerian forward Hadj Moussa will arrive in the summer, just a few months after making his Eredivisie debut on loan at Vitesse.
Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez
The 22-year-old has two goals and two assists in all competitions in the Netherlands, having begun the season in the Belgian second tier. His arrival suggests a willingness to back a player of limited top level experience as long as the promise is there.
Mikki van Sas
Another youngster, Van Sas joined from Manchester City's academy in September. The 20-year-old goalkeeper has yet to make his senior Feyenoord debut, but has been on the bench in the Champions League and Europa League this term.
The Dutch Under-19 international revealed upon his unveiling that he had been scouted by the Rotterdam club as a teen. Previous rejections appear to be no barrier to deals further down the line.
Luka Ivanusec
Would Arne Slot be a good fit for Liverpool? Have your say in the comments section
Croatia international Luka Ivanusec is one of Slot's more experienced recent signings (FIFA via Getty Images)The first name on the list to have represented Feyenoord at the time of writing, Ivanusec joined from Dinamo Zagreb in his homeland of Croatia. The winger played three times for his country at Euro 2020, showing Slot is prepared to add more experienced figures when the price is right.
Arriving for just £6.7m (according to Transfermarkt), Ivanusec has struggled with injury this season but has still managed 20 league outings. He scored a hat-trick for Dinamo in Champions League qualifying, but has only netted once in the Eredivisie.
Ondrej Lingr
Lingr, 25, joined on a season-long loan from Slavia Prague in August. Another full international, the attacking midfielder arrived with a record of contributing goals from a withdrawn role, with successive double-figure seasons in the Czech Republic.
He has been used out wide as well as in the number 10 role, but Slot has so far been sparing with him. All 21 of Lingr's outings have come from the bench, with the manager prepared to let the new man work for his first start.
Bart Nieuwkoop
Dutch defender Nieuwkoop arrived from Union SG, where he spent last season linking up with Brighton winger Simon Adingra. The 28-year-old started out at Feyenoord, failing to hold down a first-team place, but Slot has been prepared to give him a second chance.
Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight
Bart Nieuwkoop is back at Feyenoord for a second spell (ANP/AFP via Getty Images)While the first half of his season was interrupted by injury, Nieuwkoop has featured more since the turn of the year. He made four appearances in the run to KNVB Cup glory, starting the victory over NEC in the final.
Kostas Lamprou
Lamprou is another player who demonstrates Slot's willingness to offer second chances. The Greek goalkeeper returned to De Kuip nine years after departing, having done the rounds in the top two tiers of Dutch football.
Liverpool boss Klopp hasn't been afraid to add experienced backup keepers on a free, with Adrian and Alex Manninger among those brought to Anfield during his tenure. With the former out of contract this summer, might there be room for another similar deal?
Ayase Ueda
Japan striker Ayase Ueda hasn't quite hit his stride in Rotterdam (Getty Images)The most expensive signing on the list, Ueda still only cost a relatively reasonable £6.9m. The Japan international was part of his country's 2022 World Cup squad but not one of the star names - rather, he was a star in waiting when he moved to Rotterdam.
As with a few others, the striker has mostly been used as a sub despite hitting 22 in Belgium the season prior, scoring twice in less than 500 Eredivisie minutes. He enjoyed a breakout Asian Cup, though, ending the tournament as his country's top scorer with four goals in as many starts.
Calvin Stengs
Dutch international Stengs was hot property when he left Slot's AZ for Nice in 2021. It didn't quite work out for him in Ligue 1, but Slot wasn't going to turn down the chance to reunite with the 25-year-old.
Former AZ man Calvin Stengs is working under Arne Slot at a second club (Getty Images)Stengs has hit double figures for assists this term, with only PSV duo Luuk de Jong and Joey Veerman besting his tally. He also has five league goals - plus one in the Champions League victory over Celtic - suggesting the reunion has gone pretty well so far.
Thomas Beelen
Young defender Beelen set Feyenoord back just £2.3m, coming through the same PEC Zwolle production line that produced current Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg. A tall centre-back, just like Klopp likes them, the 22-year-old has featured in more than half of Feyenoord's games this term.
Liverpool will need to make decisions at centre-back, namely on whether to hand Joel Matip a new deal and how they deal with Virgil van Dijk entering the final year of his own contract. Klopp hasn't been afraid to trust in youth, and Slot isn't too different.
Yankuba Minteh
Yankuba Minteh has impressed since joining Feyenoord on loan from Newcastle (DeFodi Images via Getty Images)Speaking of youth, 19-year-old Minteh has been backed despite his tender age. Liverpool might not need to test the water with top teams' youngsters, but Gambia international Minteh has enjoyed his season on loan from Newcastle.
With nine league goals, the winger sits joint-second in the club's scoring charts behind Premier League linked Santiago Gimenez. Liverpool have benefited greatly from goals from out wide, so this may be music to fans' ears.
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
