Without a doubt, Liverpool have surprised many this season and certainly look likely to win the Premier League, which would be a fine accomplishment from new boss Arne Slot, firmly showing that he is more than a worthy replacement for ex-Reds boss and legend, Jurgen Klopp.
It is even possible that they might win an albeit unconventional treble, with the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup, which would be somewhat unprecedented for a manager during his first season at a new club.
After taking over, there were a number of issues that Slot had to address, such as players nearing the end of their contracts – whether to sell them or how to get the best out of them for another season and then taking a view.
One of these has been centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, who has been one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League for more or less, the last seven years and the thought of letting him go even two years ago would have been insane. Indeed, anyone taking a punt on Liverpool losing VvD back then could have got great odds when gambling with ethereum.
Slot certainly has a decision to make about whether he has a part to play next season and how big of one. At 33 he is approaching his twilight years and has lost a yard of pace, though his ability to read the game has made up for this. However, there have been no new updates about what his future holds beyond this summer. Should he leave the club though, it may not all be doom and gloom, with a number of players available that could well come in and adequately replace him.
Gonçalo Inácio
Long-linked with a move away from Sporting Lisbon, even before their former manager, Ruben Amorim left for Manchester United.
At just 23-year-old Gonçalo Inácio has already developed into one of the best young, left-sided, ball-playing centre-backs in Europe.
Comfortable on the ball and reads the game intelligently, Ignacio is ready for a step up and would suit the Premier League and Liverpool, who are rumoured to have scouted him, perfectly.
Piero Hincapie
The 23-year-old Ecuadorian was part of that fantastic Bayer Leverkusen side that went unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season, though the club are currently falling short behind leaders Bayern Munich this time around. With manager Xabi Alonso rumoured to be being eyed by Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti leaves in the summer, it could also mean Leverkusen’s best talents all get cherry-picked.
Hincapie would be ideal for Liverpool and can develop into one of the best in the world given time. Also capable of playing left-back and very comfortable on the ball, he could well appeal to Slot.
Facundo Medina
One of the best-rated centre-backs in French football, 25-year-old Argentine Media could definitely do a job for Liverpool and could slot straight in relatively comfortably. Currently playing his football with RC Lens, who sit eighth, he would likely be open to a move to the Reds.
Despite being one of his club’s standout players, he could prove to be a cheap option for Liverpool – unlikely to cost more than £30 million.
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