Watch the Liverpool and Ipswich Town match in the English Premier League

 

At a press conference held today, Friday, Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot discussed the team's preparations ahead of the opening match of the 2024-2025 Premier League season. Liverpool is set to face Ipswich Town tomorrow, Saturday, in their first match, a fixture eagerly anticipated by the fans.

Contract Renewals and Continued Stability

Slot addressed the situation regarding the contracts of key players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. He noted that although their contracts are set to expire next June, the current focus is on the upcoming match rather than contract issues. He stated, "I don't think this is the right place to talk about contracts, but I can assure you that they will be in the lineup tomorrow!"

Preparation for the Ipswich Town Match

Regarding Liverpool's preparations for the Ipswich Town match, Slot confirmed that the team is fully prepared, emphasizing that preparing to face a newly promoted team is no less challenging than facing other long-established Premier League teams. He said, "The preparation is not harder than if you had to prepare for a team that had been in the Premier League for 22 years. We’ve watched their games from last season and pre-season."

Slot anticipated a tough match, noting that Ipswich Town is a team full of positivity and enthusiasm, which makes the challenge for Liverpool significant. Nonetheless, he expressed his optimism about the team and their good preparations for the new season.

Transfer Market and Zubimendi Negotiations

Slot also spoke about Liverpool's moves in the transfer market, specifically regarding Martín Zubimendi of Real Sociedad. He explained that the club was interested in signing Zubimendi to strengthen the squad, but the player chose not to join Liverpool. Slot added, "I’ve said several times already that our squad is really strong, so it’s not easy to find players to enhance it. Zubimendi was one of them, but he chose not to come here."

The head coach confirmed that the team will continue with the current setup despite losing some players like Thiago, Joël Matip, and Adrián. However, he expressed satisfaction with the available squad, noting that Richard Hughes, the club's head of recruitment, will continue to look for opportunities to strengthen the team if necessary.

Discussion on Trent Alexander-Arnold's Role

Regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold, Slot emphasized his tactical flexibility, noting his ability to play as a right-back or in central midfield. He explained, "Trent has been known as a right-back all his life and as a midfielder in his youth. You see him play in midfield sometimes in the European Championship, so he can play both positions really well, so it’s up to me to decide."

Future of Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez

When asked about Luis Díaz's future, Slot pointed out that rumors about his transfer are not new, confirming that Díaz will remain with Liverpool and that he has had a significant impact on the team. He added, "I’ve been very impressed by what I’ve seen. He’s had a big impact on Liverpool, and I hope he will have an impact next season."

Regarding Darwin Núñez, Slot mentioned that he aims to position him in goal-scoring opportunities as much as possible, noting that the team benefits from the performance of attacking players when placed in suitable attacking positions. He said, "If everyone can push the forwards into dangerous positions, those players will score goals. It’s up to us to get Darwin or Diogo Jota into promising positions."

Closing the Conference: Optimism and Readiness for the New Season

Slot concluded the conference by expressing his optimism for the new season, noting that the team is in a good place and that everyone at the club is working hard to achieve success. With the opening match against Ipswich Town approaching, Liverpool remains fully prepared to kick off their Premier League campaign with full force.