View: Arne Slot puts Liverpool youth players on transfer chopping block as Fabio Carvalho decision made
Liverpool manager Arne Slot could regret the decision to sell Fabio Carvalho to Brentford this summer.
The 21-year-old was electric for the Reds during the pre-season tour of the USA and scored two goals against Arsenal and Manchester United.
Carvalho and Slot had differing opinions on where he would fit in the Liverpool side, the player wanted to play centrally whereas Slot viewed him as a winger, and with competition from Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota, the Portuguese forward has left Anfield for £27.5m in pursuit of regular first-team football [BBC Sport, 12 August].
Liverpool youth players on chopping block after Arne Slot assessment
Slot revealed in his first Liverpool press conference [5 July], that there would still be an open pathway to the first team for the academy players.
The Dutchman’s words were premature as the Reds accelerate their transfer business this summer by offloading their key youth prospects.
RB Salzburg, managed by former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Ljinders are moving towards an agreement for Bobby Clark to leave Anfield on a permanent deal [The Athletic, 11 August].
Ben Doak, who has been subject of loan interest from Southampton and Leicester City, is another youth star the Reds will negotiate a permanent sale for if they receive a suitable offer [Dave OCKOP, 11 August].
The Reds planned to offload Jayden Danns for the season before his injury and have told Stefan Bajcetic he is free to leave for the campaign, while Kaide Gordon is set to spend the season at Swansea City and Lewis Koumas has completed a loan move to Stoke City [BBC Sport, 10 August].
Trey Nyoni, who scored against Sevilla on Sunday [11 August] and James McConnell are the two remaining youth players not yet linked with a move away from Anfield.
One of the highlights of last season’s underwhelming final campaign for Jurgen Klopp was the development of the academy stars in the first team and their efforts in the Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea.
Slot has ruthlessly completed his assessment of the squad and those tipped for breakout campaigns in the first team are now facing the possibility that their footballing future lay away from Anfield, as he seemingly goes back on his word from his first official day at the helm.
The Reds prepare to face Ipswich Town in the 2024/25 Premier League season curtain raiser on Saturday [17 August] with still no signings this summer and now many key youth stars facing uncertain futures.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds eye shrewd Adrien Rabiot free transfer signing.
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