Paul Merson sounds transfer warning to Arne Slot after hearing Liverpool rumour

Liverpool have appointed a new head coach, a fresh backroom team and installed a permanent sporting director in recent months. One thing he seems to have forgotten to do is sign new players.

Just kidding, but there are inevitably some Reds fans who are getting increasingly angry at the club’s lack of activity in the market. Only one other Premier League side has yet to make their first signing in this window and Liverpool supporters are respectfully unconcerned about whether Fulham sign someone this summer or not.

But while the income generates the most interest, the exits are also extremely important. Some will generate transfer funds but can also weaken the squad by leaving. The trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of 2024/25. Football pundit Paul Merson has expressed concern over new head coach Arne Slot if his fellow Dutchman leaves Liverpool ahead of the new campaign.

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It has been claimed that van Dijk is “thinking about quitting” the Reds. That would be “the end” of Liverpool’s title hopes for the new season, according to Merson.

He was talking to Jeff Stelling about Football’s Greatest. “The problem could be at the other end of the pitch, where Virgil van Dijk has said he wants time to think about his international and club future,” Stelling said. “Now if they (Liverpool) were to lose Van Dijk, who is in the last year of his contract, it would be a big blow,” he added.

“Oh, the end. End of. Rolls-Royce. A defender’s Rolls-Royce. Phenomenal defender – He’s a Rolls-Royce,” Merson said before drawing a comparison with his former club Arsenal.

“If Arsenal were to lose (William) Saliba, who I would probably say was the defender of the tournament (Euro 2024). I thought it was amazing, I’d say there’s no way. No chance. That’s what the manager deals with, just one little thing like that which is massive and then all of a sudden you become a bad manager and he (Mikel Arteta) is not a bad manager,” Merson added.

Liverpool.com says: While Merson’s assessment of Liverpool’s hopes for Slot’s first season is correct should they lose van Dijk, there has been no indication he wants to sell. The Reds said goodbye to Joël Matip at the end of last season and were looking to sign Leny Yoro before Manchester United swooped in. It seems extremely unlikely that they would be willing to lose their best centre-back, regardless of the amount of money on offer. Take it easy, Merse.