Liverpool are still waiting for the dust to settle from the summer’s international games before finalising their season plans.
The European Championship and the Copa America have gotten in the way of Liverpool’s plans for the upcoming season.
Arne Slot has had to make do with coaching a skeletal squad at the AXA Training Centre, and transfer ambitions have come to a standstill.
The two competitions, however, may have affected more than just incomings. The internationals may have also slowed one or two probable Liverpool team departures.
With normalcy restored following the conclusion of both competitions, there is growing concern that Liverpool may lose a crucial player or two.
Phil Thompson expresses concern about Anthony Gordon.
It’s unclear whether Liverpool will put their foot down in the transfer market for the rest of the summer.
However, anyone expecting too much business from the Reds is likely to be disappointed. Liverpool has been linked with Mohamed Simakan this week, but there is little else to go on.
Throughout the summer, the Reds have only had two concrete links. Leny Yoro is a ‘dream’ target for Liverpool, but it appears that he will be moving elsewhere. That was one.
The second was when Liverpool was in talks to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United at the end of June.
Ultimately, the move for Gordon did not go through. However, we believe Liverpool’s interest in Gordon has not diminished. A transfer could be in the works next year.
In terms of this summer, however, bringing the 23-year-old to Anfield would have left Slot with far too many left-sided attackers in his squad. As a result, former captain Phil Thompson admits he was ‘worried’ that Luis Diaz would be let go.
“Anthony Gordon was an interesting one,” Thompson told TalkSPORT (16/07/24, 9:24am). “But I was concerned that it was [to replace] Luis Diaz, as there had been rumors of him perhaps moving.
“His father was coming up with all kinds of ideas, and you thought, Luis Diaz is a great player. He recovered from a serious injury.”
Can Luis Diaz still leave Liverpool?
Diaz’s future has been put on hold this summer after helping Colombia advance to the Copa America final on Monday.
After losing to Alexis MacAllister and Argentina, Diaz will undoubtedly take some time to comprehend his disappointment.
Following that, it will be interesting to see if he remains at Anfield for Slot’s first season. Diaz has been linked with Barcelona, but the overwhelming consensus appears to be that the £50 million player will stay put.
It has been reported that Liverpool would consider a large bid for Diaz. However, given Barcelona’s financial difficulties, this is improbable.
As Thompson points out, Diaz’s father has publicly expressed his desire for him to join Barcelona. However, transfers do not function that way. For the time being, with Gordon on hold, we believe Lucho is in no hurry. He has a big season ahead of him.
