Arne Slot sends new Liverpool transfer message as summer plans made clear | OneFootball

Another huge window awaits for Reds after last year’s £450m spend as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson depart

Arne Slot has urged Liverpool to ensure they replace their departing legends during another busy summer in the transfer market as he warned the club have to sell before they can buy.

A period of transition awaits the Reds at the end of a difficult season that will now definitely end without a trophy as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson both leave Anfield after nine years.

Salah’s exit was announced last month, with Liverpool agreeing for him to go on a free transfer despite agreeing a new two-year contract with the Egyptian forward last April.

Left-back stalwart Robertson, meanwhile, confirmed his own farewell last week, with his current deal on Merseyside due to expire in June.

Liverpool lavished £450million on transfers last summer, signing Florian Wirtz for a total package worth £116m before then breaking the British transfer record with the £125m deal for Alexander Isak, also welcoming the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni.

However, such a significant spend has failed to yield anything like the desired results amid a dire defence of their Premier League title that sees them sit fifth with six games to go this term and 18 points off leaders Arsenal as they battle to qualify for the Champions League.

Criticism: Arne Slot is under mounting pressure following Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final exit to PSG

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Liverpool were also thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals and lost to Crystal Palace in both the Carabao Cup fourth round and Community Shield, with their last hope of a trophy extinguished on Tuesday night despite an improved performance as they were defeated 2-0 at home by holders Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg - losing the tie 4-0 on aggregate.

The pressure continues to ramp up on under-fire head coach Slot, though he insists that the future is bright as he stressed the need for more new signings to arrive, but also admitted that Liverpool have to sell to buy in their current model.

When asked after the PSG defeat - during which striker Ekitike suffered a serious-looking Achilles injury - about his focus now being on finishing in the Premier League’s top six, Slot said: “Of course.

“That is what we have to play for now in the coming weeks. The good thing Alex [Isak] is back, well able to make minutes.

“Much has been said that the club is in a transition. The club has sold eight to 10 players to make money to sign five or so very talented players.

“We have to sell to buy. We are losing some players on a free transfer. It is a big challenge in the summer but the club has shown this model works.

“As I said many times, the future looks very good, especially if we can sign players after good players leaving this summer.”