Liverpool are getting ready to ramp up their new season plans once they land back in England.
The Reds have spent the past fortnight preparing for the campaign in the USA, playing three friendly games and winning them all.
The time away has given Arne Slot the chance he was looking for to assess what he currently has available in the Liverpool squad.
With decisions now being more informed, Liverpool are gearing up to accelerate their transfer plans.
As well as influencing what may happen in terms of incomings, though, the Reds tour looks set to have had an impact on outgoings at Anfield, too.
Liverpool make decision on Caoimhin Kelleher
With a number of senior stars away, there were plenty of players on tour who could be said to be fighting for their futures.
Many of these were young players or academy starlets who were trying to catch the eye of Slot before the new campaign.
As Liverpool arrive back in the UK, it looks like decisions have been made by the head coach and his backroom team on a number of fringe players.
Nat Phillips is expected to leave, while Liverpool have turned down a bid for Fabio Carvalho.
The Reds are also keeping RB Salzburg at bay for the moment, with Pep Lijnders pushing to sign Bobby Clark, but being frustrated so far.
READ MORE: Four Liverpool players who could leave at the last minute this summer
As well as that trio, there have been big question marks over Caoimhin Kelleher’s future going into the summer. Kelleher has been urged to leave Liverpool to get more game time.
However, with less than two weeks to go before the new season starts, the Irishman is still at the club. And according to The Athletic, Liverpool are now planning for the campaign with Kelleher onboard.
The Reds are said to value the back-up goalie at between £25-30m and have reportedly not yet seen their stance – which is claimed to be that they don’t want to lose Kelleher – tested.
The 25-year-old has reportedly ‘made a positive impression’ on Slot during the USA tour and the expectation looks to be that he will stay put.
Good news for Liverpool, bad news for Kelleher
It had looked very likely indeed that Liverpool would lose Kelleher this summer. The academy graduate clearly wants more game time.
However, with a relatively high asking-price, it looks like he will once again stay where he is.
For Liverpool, this can only be good news. If any further proof were needed, Kelleher showed during Sunday morning’s game against Manchester United exactly why the Reds rate him so highly.
The Ireland international was arguably Liverpool’s best player and underlined just what an asset he is to the squad.
But while keeping Kelleher around is undoubtedly a boost for the squad depth, you also have to feel a little for Caoimhin. He deserves to play regularly and that isn’t going to happen at Anfield. Not this season, anyway.
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