Liverpool’s season begins on Saturday as the Reds head to Suffolk to face Ipswich Town.
Remarkably, Liverpool were the last team to face Ipswich during their most recent in the top division, back in 2002.
That game finished 5-0 to the Reds, with John Arne Riise fittingly at the double. A similar result for the newest Arne in Liverpool, Arne Slot, would signal a great start to the season.
But anyone expecting the Reds to run riot during the lunchtime kick-off may be in for a surprise. Ipswich will be tricky for Liverpool but Slot’s team should be comfortable favourites.
After a good pre-season, confidence should be high at Anfield. However, according to Jamie Carragher, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Slot.
Liverpool dealt transfer ‘blow’
While there is rightful excitement at Liverpool for what the season may bring, there is also a significant amount of frustration within the Reds’ fanbase right now.
Just one day out from the start of the Premier League season, and Liverpool are the only side in the division yet to make a signing. That is incredibly disappointing.
As Slot has been at pains to mention, the Liverpool squad is in a good place right now. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have been added to.
The Reds obviously did try to get a new face through he door earlier in August. However, Martin Zubimendi chose to stay with Real Sociedad instead.
Zubimendi was Liverpool’s only choice for a signing in the deep-lying midfield position that Slot has identified as being key to his team. And writing for The Telegraph, Carragher says failure to get the deal over the line has been a ‘big blow.’
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher has warning about Jurgen Klopp for Arne Slot at Liverpool
“Klopp was loved because he made sure Liverpool were regularly in the fight, throwing punches at City and Real even when they did not land knockout blows,” says the Liverpool legend.
“Slot cannot be ordered to do more than that, and nor will he be from sensible fans and pundits. The good news for him is there is room for more improvement as he tries to replicate Klopp’s success. Subtle differences can make Liverpool a good watch and more difficult to play against.
“But he has not been helped in this transfer window, especially with the club missing out on his No1 transfer target in the shape of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi,” Carragher adds.
“The recruitment department – one that FSG were so desperate to bring back because of the success they achieved alongside Klopp – will not panic, but it’s a big blow to the manager.”
Liverpool must rectify transfer inactivity
There’s little question that Zubimendi’s decision to reject Liverpool has caused a problem for Slot.
The head coach had clearly thought that the 25-year-old was the ideal player for him in the middle of the pitch. Now he’s had to go back to the drawing board.
Zubimendi staying where is looks likely to mean that Tyler Morton will be given a chance to be part of the first-team squad proper.
Morton was seen with a new squad number on Thursday and is the kind of player who could thrive in Slot’s system if he gets up to speed.
But aside from that, Liverpool need to push on and make sure they bring in one or two new faces over the next couple of weeks. Fail to do that, and Slot is already starting from a point of weakness.
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