Arne Slot to Make Final Decision on £20m Star in First Big Call as Liverpool Boss

SITTARD, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 14: head coach Arne Slot of Feyenoord Rotterdam looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Fortuna Sittard and Feyenoord at Fortuna Sittard Stadion on April 14, 2024 in Sittard, Netherlands. (Photo by NESimages/Geert van Erven/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Liverpool's incoming manager, Arne Slot, is preparing to make his first significant decision regarding the club's summer transfer strategy. Slot, who is set to succeed Jurgen Klopp, will have a crucial role in shaping the team's future as he assesses the squad during pre-season.

One of Slot's immediate challenges will be deciding the future of Sepp van den Berg. The Dutch defender has returned from a successful loan spell at Mainz, where he made 36 appearances, helping the Bundesliga side to a mid-table finish. Despite his strong performances, Van den Berg's future at Liverpool remains uncertain.

According to The Athletic, Liverpool has placed a £20 million price tag on Van den Berg, but no final decision will be made until Slot has had a chance to evaluate him. Several European clubs, including Mainz, Brentford, Southampton, Wolfsburg, and Ajax, are reportedly interested in the 22-year-old defender.

Slot's familiarity with Van den Berg, along with his assistant Sipke Hulshoff's relationship with the player from their time with the Netherlands national team setup, suggests that the defender will be given a fair chance to impress. The departure of Joel Matip has opened a potential spot in the defense, and Slot is committed to promoting young talent within the squad.

Van den Berg has expressed his need for regular playing time, which could influence his decision to stay or seek a move elsewhere. "For the past 3.5 years I have always been somewhere else. If I go back to Liverpool, they may want me to stay," he told Voetbal Nieuws in February. "If I notice that a lot of playing time is not available, then I may have to make the choice to leave."

As Liverpool finalizes their plans for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Slot's first major decision and how it shapes the team's transfer strategy and squad composition. The new manager's ability to integrate promising young players like Van den Berg could be pivotal in maintaining Liverpool's competitive edge in the Premier League.