The Liverpool man, who is desperate to leave, could be the answer to the summer transfer dilemma

Arne Slot has put his new Liverpool FC service phone to good use, with Richard Hughes on speed dial since the Dutchman was named the club’s new head coach last month.

And while many of those conversations have focused on hiring a strong backline to support him when he gets to work on the Kirkby training grounds, Slot and Hughes discussed ways to improve the squad left behind by Jurgen Klopp.

Indeed, Slot revealed that he and Liverpool’s newly appointed sporting director speak “almost every day” to “make sure the squad is ready”.

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No doubt some of that conversation has centered around teenage Lille centre-back Leny Yoro, a player Liverpool are trying to sign this summer.

But concerns among Anfield insiders that Yoro will find Real Madrid openings, should the Spanish giants step up their interest, hold out for too long.

Should that happen, Liverpool may need to rethink their plans to buy a centre-back in the summer transfer window, with the club understood to not be prioritizing the position beyond signing an exceptional talent such as Yoro leaves the Reds in an intriguing place ahead of the new season.

Positions can change, of course, and Liverpool have shown they are ready to change transfer plans quickly if targets become available, with Alisson Becker’s switch from Roma in 2018 a good example of this and would be a brave move for Slot to leave. in the new campaign without signing a new centre-back.

He has options there, with captain Virgil van Dijk supported by Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and the versatile Joe Gomez, but Gomez and Konate have both proved quite injury-prone in recent years and Van Dijk now has just a year left on him . contract with the club, that area of ​​the pitch is starting to look a lot more fragile.

And so further strengthening is definitely needed. But perhaps Liverpool have an option right under their noses.

Because it wasn’t that long ago that Sepp van den Berg was lauded as one of the top six defenders in Europe while on loan with Mainz.

Indeed, figures collected by Comparator in March it showed the 22-year-old was only outscored by William Saliba (Arsenal), Nico Schotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich) and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. to find the best centre-backs through their backgrounds.

His performances were such that Mainz boss Bo Henriksen hailed the defender as “a leader and boss in the middle”, adding “he’s getting better and better”.

Van den Berg has made no secret of his desire to leave Anfield now, accusing the club of “impeding his future” and demanding he be sold. Liverpool have subsequently set a £20m price tag for interested clubs, but perhaps everyone could be best suited if he commits another year.

Playing time will be available if he stays put, with Liverpool fighting on four fronts and facing an expanded Champions League format next year. And Liverpool will have another young defender with potential in their ranks, capable of fighting for a place in the first team.

It may be a test of Slot’s impressive communication skills to convince Van den Berg to stay longer at Liverpool, but if he does, perhaps FSG’s money will be better spent elsewhere side, with a new striker, defender and defender. versatile midfielder all potential targets.

If they don’t try, they won’t know. Slot just has to pick up the phone and find out.