Liverpool transfer belief behind huge Florian Wirtz bid as Arne Slot eyes next two targets

Mirror Football takes a look at Liverpool's summer transfer window so far in what is expected to be a busy couple of months as boss Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes work away

The confetti had barely been cleared from the Anfield pitch after Liverpool’s Premier League title celebrations and the focus was firmly on making sure the trophy will remain there next season.

This summer is going to be busy for the Reds if the first few days of the transfer market being open are anything to go by. This will be the window when Arne Slot starts to really put his touch to the team.

Not only to make it more his squad, but also to ensure that they can compete on four fronts next season. This is a summer of adding more depth and moving on players who do not fit the criteria or - in the case of Caoimhin Kelleher - need to be guaranteed much more playing time. Those close to the club stress there is not a transfer war chest to be splashed out on but recruitment will be backed by the owners, FSG, and sales.

The mantra remains the same. Spend on what they believe is value rather than for the sake of it. That is why there must be huge belief within the club that Florian Wirtz is a sensational footballer with potential to be even better otherwise they would not be submitting eye-watering nine-figure offers.

While the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, also from Bayer Leverkusen, in a £29.5m deal is more the deals we have been accustomed to seeing the Reds make. A low - in today’s market - release clause being met to get a highly-rated player who is versatile enough to play in different positions, even if pushing Conor Bradley for a right-back starting spot may be the initial aim.

It is clear that this is - while being led by sporting director Richard Hughes - the start of Slot putting his touches to the team after his first summer saw the only arrival being Federico Chiesa on a cut-price deal. For all the talk of last season being Slot turning the Reds more orchestral than the heavy metal football of Jurgen Klopp, those within the club felt the changes to the playing style were more subtle than that.

Slot worked with what he had got. He shifted Ryan Gravenberch to the No.6 role while the full-backs were not given as much freedom to roam and more control was asked from the front line. It brought a 20th English league title when many expected them to be battling it out for a Champions League spot at best.

Yet Slot was still not content. He wants to win the title again but also go further in Europe. The Dutchman knew against PSG that Liverpool struggled with their frantic press and pace with the Reds going through a slight lull at the time they faced the soon-to-be-crowned European kings.

That could have been down to his own overreliance on the same players. He was also concerned about how Newcastle’s midfield in the Carabao Cup final were too physical for the Reds but he is not adding muscle to match that.

Instead, it appears more pace, flair and creativeness is how Slot is going about it. Wirtz is a deal that is expected to get done given the Reds have elbowed in ahead of Manchester City to ensure they’re the destination of choice for the Germany attacking star.

Frimpong is done with Trent Alexander-Arnold going to Real Madrid, with £10m banked to end his contract early. Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is wanted while a striker could be dependent on who leaves this summer.

Slot is starting to structure his team with the rock-solid foundation of a Premier League title to build upon, along with Mo Salah’s goals, Virgil van Dijk’s defensive prowess and Alisson’s steady hands. It is why many across Europe believe Anfield is the place to be at the moment.