Latest news with #Slot
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
How Liverpool could line up with Alexander Isak AND Hugo Ekitike as Arne Slot considers transfer splurge
ARNE SLOT could have a multitude of options in how he lines up his Liverpool side next season. The Reds manager has overseen the arrivals of stars such as 9 Alexander Isak is a target for Liverpool Credit: Getty 9 The club have already signed Hugo Ekitike Credit: Reuters 9 Marc Guehi could be another target for Liverpool this summer Credit: Getty 9 Arne Slot will have plenty of options next season Credit: Getty The Swede is exploring his options ahead of a potential exit from St James' Park this summer. The striker was left at home by the Magpies as they jetted off on their Far East pre-season tour. The club may not be done there as there is a continued interest in READ MORE ON ALEXANDER ISAK The English defender would be a replacement for Ibrahim Konate - who appears to be on his way out of Anfield at the end of his contract. Should Liverpool complete the mega-money deals, then Slot will have a headache trying to fit in all his new pieces. The Dutchman could stick with the club's proven 4-3-3 formation and add the new signings. Isak would slot into the striker position in place of Darwin Nunez, while Ekitike could support him from the left wing. Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN This would soften the blow of losing Diaz is a target of Darwin Nunez performs tragic Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota's celebration after scoring in first game since his death 9 Slot will also have to shake up the defence, having seen Liverpool have given the manager both Kerkez and Frimpong to take up the mantle of the iconic duo. The defence could further change if Guehi arrives at Anfield. He could be played as the second centre-back next to Virgil van Dijk. 9 9 And of course, there is no forgetting the British record transfer arrival of Wirtz. The German midfielder was signed for He will likely be played in the No.10 role behind the front three and linking up with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Slot could also get inventive and change the formation to feature both Isak and Ekitike as a strike partnership. If this were done in a 3-5-2 formation, it would provide more attacking freedom to both Kerkez and Frimpong in the wing-back roles. It would also give an opportunity to reinvent Robertson, who could fill in on the left side of the back three. This formation could also provide star man Mo Salah with an opportunity to take a rest. 9 9
Evening Standard
an hour ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Three ways Liverpool FC could line up with Alexander Isak in new-look attack alongside Hugo Ekitike
It seems remarkable to even think, given the amount Liverpool paid for Ekitike, that he would have to act as an understudy. But with Slot preferring a 4-2-3-1 formation with a lone striker leading the line, Isak's arrival, likely for a record British transfer fee, could see Ekitike relegated to the bench.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Hugo Ekitike set to 'follow Arne Slot's orders' at Liverpool over non-negotiable
Liverpool have agreed a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike, and the Frenchman seems set to fulfil the demands that manager Arne Slot places on his centre forwards Liverpool are close to completing the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, who knows what's expected of him at Anfield. The Reds have targeted a new front man in their bid to retain the Premier League title. Arne Slot's side have already made several eye-catching moves in the transfer window. Florian Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen as the club's record signing in a move worth up to £116million earlier this summer. Liverpool have also snapped up right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen, brought in Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez and welcomed goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. However, the arrival of Ekitike, who is set to undergo a medical on Tuesday, would solve a key issue that the Liverpool manager has seemingly been keen to address. The Athletic reports that playing as a centre forward for Slot means having to work hard off the ball, with Ekitike demonstrating his willingness to follow similar instructions out of possession in his time at Frankfurt. That non-negotiable, in terms of being a proper team player from up top, is something Slot has looked for in the market. And it is reported that Ekitike will follow those orders while helping team-mates offer a regular threat in the box via his intelligent movement. The 23-year-old scored 22 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 appearances for Frankfurt as the German side finished third in the Bundesliga and reached the Europa League quarter-finals. Liverpool have agreed an initial £69m fee plus a possible £10m in add-ons for the Frenchman. The transfer represents a significant profit for Frankfurt, who opted to make Ekitike's loan from PSG permanent for approximately £14.3m (€16.5m) in April 2024. As the Premier League champions have been targeting a young striker who will be a long-term focal point for the team, Ekitike fits the club's criteria ahead of signing a six-year deal. Liverpool boss Slot opted against relying on Darwin Nunez for much of the team's title-winning campaign, with the Uruguayan only being handed eight league starts. Nunez had been heavily linked with a move to Napoli but the Italian club have signed Udinese forward Lorenzo Lucca, leaving the Liverpool star's next steps in doubt. Slot reaffirmed the importance of a striker's work-rate in his criticism of Nunez's reaction to a missed chance against Aston Villa in February. 'I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two very important goals against Brentford, that scores for us in the home game against Villa,' Slot said. 'That I can accept but what was a bit harder for me to accept was his behaviour after that chance. 'With behaviour, I mean, I think it got too much in his head, where he wasn't the usual Darwin that works his a** off and makes sure he helps the team. I think he was too disappointed after missing that chance and maybe – we will never know, we will never find out – that's why he was just a fraction short the moment afterwards.' Liverpool's determination to find the right striker to improve the team was shown by their interest in Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. The Reds were reportedly willing to pay up to £120m for Isak, but Newcastle insist the forward is not for sale. Meanwhile, Liverpool have stood firm in terms of their own outgoings. Last week, the club rejected a £58m (€67.5m) bid for Luis Diaz from Bayern Munich. It is claimed that the winger wants to leave Liverpool but the club have no intention of cashing in on the Colombia international. He is currently part of Liverpool's squad for their pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Japan.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
What persuaded Hugo Ekitike to join Liverpool after Arne Slot promise during phonecall
Liverpool are on the verge of signing striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79million and Reds boss Arne Slot played a key role in persuading the player to join Hugo Ekitike is closing in on a £79million move to Liverpool, having been persuaded to join the club after holding talks with manager Arne Slot. Ekitike is set to become Liverpool's seventh new signing this summer, with the Reds agreeing to pay £69m up front plus £10m in add-ons. The 23-year-old will lead the line for Liverpool next season, with Eintracht Frankfurt boss Dino Toppmoller admitting his exit is a "bitter loss" after Ekitike was omitted for their pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday. "He didn't play, but you can imagine everything else," Toppmoller said. "This is a bitter loss. We lost our absolute top player in the winter with Omar Marmoush. The other player stepped in and developed sensationally. It's quite possible that that's history, too. So I think we need to temper expectations a bit overall." Newcastle were also interested in Ekitike, but abandoned their pursuit after the forward made it clear that he only wanted to join Liverpool. And ESPN are reporting that it was Slot who persuaded Ekitike that Anfield was the right destination for him. The report states that Slot spoke with the player over Zoom and explained how Ekitike fit into his plans, with the Dutchman keen to sign a 'mobile and dynamic No.9 who could combine brilliance on the ball with tenacity and intelligence off it'. It is claimed that Ekitike felt he was the 'perfect fit' after speaking with the Liverpool boss and the report quotes a source as saying Slot pulled off a "masterclass". It adds that there were some concerns over whether the player was ready to make another big move. Ekitike joined Paris Saint-Germain from Reims three years ago and struggled to make much of an impact, but he has resurrected his career at Frankfurt and it is claimed Liverpool are confident that he is ready to make the step-up. Liverpool have spent big this summer as they look to build on a successful first season under Slot which saw them win the Premier League. They have also signed Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman. Liverpool also secured the futures of captain Virgil van Dijk and star man Mohamed Salah earlier this year, with the pair both signing new deals, although they were unable to persuade Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay. However, Liverpool are confident that their summer business will ensure they remain competitive for years to come, with each new addition aside from Woodman under the age of 25.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool forward closer to Napoli move
The tour gives Slot a chance to assess his options ahead of the new campaign - with the head coach also having to integrate several new signings. He will be trying to work out formations that can include the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and - once confirmed - Hugo Ekitike. And we could end up seeing certain Liverpool players have their tour of Asia cut short in order to wrap out some outgoing deals. Chiesa NOT on Asian tour Chief among them are Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz - who could generate plenty of transfer income should Liverpool decide to part ways. One player however who HASN'T made the trip is . The Italian winger played and scored in Sunday's friendly win against Stoke City but will not feature on tour. He is out of the tour with a 'minor fitness issue' according to a report in the Athletic but his omission could spell the end of his short, unhappy spell at Liverpool. At least that is how the Italian media sees it, with Tuttosport describing his departure as a 'foregone conclusion' now that he's been left out. Napoli back in for Chiesa 'This is a clear sign for Chiesa, who is increasingly marginalized from Liverpool's coaching plans and ever closer to leaving the English club,' the report reads. Indeed, the same report suggests that Chiesa could now come back on the radar of Napoli - the Italian champions with a long-standing interest in the winger. Having signed Noa Lang from PSV and Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, head coach Antonio Conte is still intending to improve his attacking options. Can Liverpool get their money back on Chiesa? A move for Bologna star Dan Ndoye has been complicated by Nottingham Forest's interest as well as the Swiss suffering an injury in pre-season. So the Partenopei could be enticed back to the table for Chiesa. 'Watch out for Napoli, who have long shown interest in the Italian winger and could make a move,' the report concludes. Liverpool signed Chiesa from Juventus last September for a fee that could reach £12.5m. The 27-year-old is under contract until 2028 - meaning the Reds should be able to get most of their money back on a sale. Wages could prove a sticking point however with Chiesa earning a reported £120k per week and Italian sides so far unwilling or unable to match those demands. **👉 **Liverpool set to increase transfer budget by £200m 🔗
