4 players who could play huge roles at Liverpool during 2024/25
- Liverpool under new management for 2024/25 season
- Arne Slot in as new head coach to replace Jurgen Klopp
- Reds have not made any signings yet but current players could improve under Slot's management
Liverpool are beginning a new chapter in the club's storied history, waving goodbye to the Jurgen Klopp era and starting afresh under Arne Slot.
Well, it looks like they're going to start much the same under Slot. They're the only Premier League side who have not made a new signing yet this summer.
But that doesn't mean Reds fans should be pessimistic. The Dutchman arrives at Anfield with his own ideas and impetus, a new way of doing things, and the club are continuing to work hard behind the scenes to refresh the playing squad.
Here are four players we think could excel under Slot during his first season on Merseyside.
1. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Over the last couple of seasons, we've seen a reinvention of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Towards the end of Liverpool's disappointing 2022/23 season, Klopp ordered his star right-back to start moving into midfield as opposed to down the line. It immediately paid dividends and continued into the following campaign.
After Gareth Southgate pushed that self-confessed 'experiment' to the brink at Euro 2024 by simply starting Alexander-Arnold in England's midfield, there are questions over what kind of player he will be under Slot.
Alexander-Arnold is into the last year of his Liverpool contract and is wanted by Real Madrid. How Slot uses him and sells him on the new project could decide his future, and one way or another, eyes are going to be glued to the 25-year-old this season.
2. Harvey Elliott
Would you believe Harvey Elliott has already played 119 competitive matches for Liverpool? And he doesn't even turn 22 until next April?
There's a healthy dose of experience already under his belt, and Slot, who has been widely praised for his ability to vastly improve players, must be relishing the chance to get his hands on such a top prospect.
If there's an elite-level star player in Elliott, then we'll surely start to see him blossom on a more consistent basis this year. He's already putting in some fine performances in pre-season and there's plenty of buzz about him prior to the Premier League campaign.
An England call-up can't be far away, and Slot may be the manager to help him reach that goal.
3. Jarell Quansah
Perhaps the most surprising breakout star of Klopp's final season was Jarell Quansah, who returned to Liverpool for the 2023/24 term off the back of a decent loan spell at League One side Bristol Rovers. By the end of the campaign, he had received an England call-up.
It takes a fair bit of bravery and aggression to be able to look at home in a Klopp high line, but Quansah managed to look at ease.
Slot is unlikely to deploy a system so open at the back, which should allow the rest of the world to get a glimpse of the 21-year-old without worrying about 60 yards of space behind him. You'd think that would be a positive.
4. Darwin Nunez
When Slot's arrival was confirmed, several reports claimed one of his top remits was to make a success out of Darwin Nunez.
At Feyenoord, Slot used his unorthodox coaching style to mould Santiago Gimenez into one of the Eredivisie's top strikers, and it appears the Reds have similar hopes for their Uruguayan hitman.
We all know Nunez is a handful, but unless he improves his finishing and works on his composure, he'll never be a world-class forward. Don't put it beyond him to make such a leap, and make sure to tune in for the entertainment that will unfold either way.
