Liverpool’s Transfer Decisions: Who Should Arne Slot Keep or Sell This Summer?

As the summer transfer window looms large on the horizon, Arne Slot will be joining forces with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to plan their moves in the current market. However, before they can take a look at any potential incomings, they need to decide what the next steps are for Liverpool’s current crop of players.

Previously, I discussed the future of Liverpool’s goalkeeping department and also the situation surrounding the full-backs at the club and gave my verdict on those areas. However, today we’re going to be taking a closer look at the central defenders currently at the club.

What that being, said let’s get straight into it. Who should Liverpool keep, loan or sell this summer?

Virgil Van Dijk – Keep (And Extend)

The easiest decision on this list, Liverpool should be doing everything they can to tie the Dutchman down to a new contract. Despite being 32-years-old, Van Dijk’s sheer class and quality was clear to see last season and he would’ve undoubtedly been my pick for Liverpool’s Player of the Season.

Van Dijk also now has the armband at Anfield and no performance screams Liverpool captain more than his Carabao Cup Final heroics back in February. The veteran defender is undoubtedly the man to lead Liverpool into this new Arne Slot era.

Jarell Quansah – Keep

21-year-old Jarell Quansah enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough campaign for the Reds last season and even managed to displace Ibou Konate alongside Virgil Van Dijk by the end of the season. After not being able to win a spot in Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers side just over a year ago, Quansah’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of sensational.

Quansah is currently under contract at Liverpool until June 2027, so I suspect a new deal will be being prepared for the youngster over the next 6-12 months. There’s no reason to believe that this lad couldn’t be the future of Liverpool.

Ibou Konate – Keep

Over recent weeks, there has been plenty of reports linking Konate with a potential move to PSG in a deal worth around £50million. It’s important that these are simply just rumours at the moment but it would be interesting to see how the club would deal with such an offer.

However, for me, Konate’s class is clear to see and it should only take a ridiculous bid north of £65million for the club to even consider it at the moment. With that being said though, the club need to act quickly to tie Konate down to a new contract if they want the 25-year-old to stay on Merseyside, with his current deal running out in June 2026.

Joe Gomez – Keep

Joe Gomez has also been linked with a move away from Liverpool, mostly to teams in the Saudi Pro League, but also the likes of Chelsea are also monitoring the 27-year-old. Unless a bid north of £40million comes in for Gomez, then I think the club shouldn’t be considering any movement at this stage.

After almost ten years at the club, Gomez is certainly one of the most reliable, experienced and versatile options in the squad and I am sure that Arne Slot will be keen to have Gomez around come the start of the season.

Sepp van den Berg – Sell

After a really impressive loan spell at Mainz and his recent comments about the club, I think it’s time for Michael Edwards and co. to move the 22-year-old defender. Liverpool have reportedly placed a price tag of £20million on the Dutchman, but I suspect a bid of around £15million will be enough to secure his signature this summer.

Clubs like Wolfsburg, Wolves and Southampton have all registered their interest in the young defender and I think it’s very likely that a deal will be agreed for the youngster over the next few weeks.

Nat Phillips – Sell

It’s also time for Liverpool to eventually let Nat Phillips secure a permanent move away from the club after a fairly impressive loan spell at Cardiff City. Liverpool are expected to make around £3million for the 27-year-old, who only has one year left on his current deal anyways.

Phillips would be a very solid signing for any club in the Championship and hopefully we could even see him back in the Premier League at some point.

Potential Replacements

Liverpool have been heavily linked with a number of defenders ahead of this summer transfer window, with the likes of Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie and Levi Colwill all reported as potential targets.

With that being said, it will be interesting to see who Liverpool decide is the ideal candidate to come in and further strengthen Arne Slot’s back line ahead of next season.