Liverpool transfers: £119m double deal takes seismic leap as Jurgen Klopp promises Premier League title
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is confiden his side will be back in contention for the Premier League title next season as the first two signings of their summer approach.
The Reds finished the 2022/23 season in fifth place to secure a place in the Europa League. Reaching the 2024 final in Dublin, the closest capital to Liverpool, will be one of the goals for next season. However, that will pale in comparison to the main goal Klopp has set for him.
In fact, the season that has just ended will not be remembered for long. Failing to face a challenge for the trophy – nine league defeats have told their own story – and meekly crashing in all three cup competitions have hurt.
For a team that fell to within a few games of quadrupling last season, the setback was huge.
However, plans are already in place to ensure Liverpool can get back on their feet.
Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will leave Anfield this summer, the latter against Klopp’s wishes.
And with Arthur Melo returning to Juventus, Liverpool have a huge opportunity to freshen up their midfield options. As a result, two early deals are gaining momentum to kick off the summer term for the Merseysiders.
First off, a move for Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister sees through the goal first.
Liverpool are closing a £69.4m deal to bring the Argentinian to Anfield. And while signing the World Cup winner may not be as close as made up, Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed he played his last game for Brighton.
Neves to Liverpool while De Zerbi expects Mac Allister to leave
Addressing speculation linking Mac Allister to Liverpool, De Zerbi confirmed his likely departure. “I think this could be the last game for Alexis and Moises [Caicedo], I’m really sorry,” De Zerbi said after the game.
“They are two great people and two great players.
“Brighton’s politics are like that,” added De Zerbi. “I think it’s fair that they can leave, change teams and play at a higher level.
“We are ready. We have to find other great players to play with without Alexis and Moises.
“If you ask me about Caicedo and Mac Allister, I love them and they are two great, great players and they can play in a great, great European team,” added De Zerbi.
“They can play in any league and are ready to compete for a great team and I hope for them that they can play in the best team in the world.”
Mac Allister’s arrest is likely to take place in early June, with the player’s father arriving for talks this week after details of his proposed deal with Anfield are leaked.
According to widespread reports, Mac Allister will be joined at Anfield by Wolves star Ruben Neves.
The Portuguese star was expected to move to Barcelona but a lack of money created an opening for Liverpool. It now appears that a £50m offer for the 26-year-old is starting to gain momentum and Wolves are said to be ready to accept.
Klopp is confident in Liverpool’s 2024 title contender
With a big summer of arrivals ahead, Klopp confidently foresees a return to title contention for Liverpool.
And in a warning to Manchester City, Arsenal and the like, Klopp believes his side won’t perform so badly again.
“There were moments during the season where you thought ‘the season lasts four years,'” he said. “Thank God for the last 11 games, they’ve helped us so much, they’ve given us a real boost, they’ve given us some perspective, they’ve given us a basis for what we need to do.”
Klopp added: “That it hasn’t been the best season ever, we see it, we know it, we are very disappointed not to be in the top four. But there are times when you have to admit that there were four teams that were better than us. This is the truth.
“We played a bad season, we are fifth, this is also a message.
“Imagine if we were normal ourselves, which we absolutely will be again next season and be a contender again. That’s how. The last eleven games have helped us to recognize it again.
