This summer has perhaps seen the most managerial turnover amongst the biggest clubs for a very long time. That means several major European giants are going to be ushering in new eras at their various clubs.
Liverpool are among that group as we officially open the Arne Slot chapter at Liverpool Football Club. While the Dutchman has not formally been introduced, the day is coming soon and things will pick up from there.
Typically, in top level football, when a manager is replaced that means something did not go well in the season and the club needs a lot of work to be rebuilt.
That is not the case with Liverpool at all. They won the League Cup and for a long time looked like viable contenders for an unprecedented quadruple.
The squad is strong, but not perfect
There are established stars throughout the Liverpool lineup such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker.
Yet, there are still some flaws in this side that reared their ugly heads down the stretch of the season. Those are the issues where Slot and Liverpool will want to focus their energy on this summer.
The defensive depth is still a weakness and the lack of consistent finishing up top plagued all of Liverpool's forwards at some point during the season. With the change in tactics, while still similar to Klopp, there will be an adjustment period for everyone involved as well.
Liverpool have been linked to a whole host of players from all over the map so it will be interesting to see when they do finally make a move, what they prioritize.
Slot may not have the final say in transfer dealings but he will absolutely be consulted on all players as Michael Edwards will be keen for the learning curve to be swift under the Dutchman.
Significance of a strong first transfer window for Slot
Of the first 10 signings under Jurgen Klopp you will see names like Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Gini Wijnaldum and Joel Matip.
Those four players would become integral pieces and foundational pieces to the Klopp Era. Slot will be looking for at least two of those of his own as the team he is inheriting is in a much better place than what Klopp took over in 2015.
A player like Lutsharel Geertruida and Ederson could be two essential players to the long-term growth of the overall squad. Slot is known for his player development so any incoming player will be expected to hit a new level at Anfield.
While the Reds are in a very good place right now, there are also likely to be some unforeseen exits at some point this summer as well.
Staying ahead of the curve is what the best teams in the world do. Real Madrid just won yet another Champions League and La Liga title but are bringing in Kylian Mbappe and are rumored to have Florian Wirtz lined up in 2025.
If whoever Liverpool signs this summer fails to hit the ground running or never does, Slot will already be behind the eight-ball in a highly competitive race for silverware.
Edwards and his team must be on their A-game this transfer window to make sure they set Arne Slot up for the best chance to hit the ground running and never look back. A poor window could have bigger implications down the line.
Let's avoid that and get the right players in here and roll into the Slot era.