While the eyes of the world were all on Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, Arne Slot was settling into life as Liverpool’s head coach.
Last weekend marked the Dutchman’s first days as the Reds’ head coach after being announced as Jurgen Klopp’s successor last month, and he officially started work in his new role on Saturday.
However, the 45-year-old will be made to wait around one month to cast his eye over the talent he will have to work with at Anfield as Liverpool’s players aren’t due to report for pre-season training until July.
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In the meantime, the ECHO has you covered with the latest news, rumours and reports from the off-season.
Jurgen Klopp ‘declines’ UEFA offer at Champions League final
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly turned down a lucrative offer to appear as a pundit in Saturday’s Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund – as well as an invitation to be a UEFA VIP.
Klopp, who brought an end to his nine-year Liverpool career last month, was in the stand at Wembley on Saturday night to watch his former side Borussia Dortmund.
According to media agent John Bradley, Klopp refused a “fortune” to be part of a TV channel’s coverage for the game and was even invited to be part of UEFA’s VIP allocation. But the former Reds manager is reported to have declined both offers and said: “Eden Terzic was always there to support my Dortmund, so I’m going as a fan to support his Dortmund.”
The ECHO says: It is no surprise that Klopp wanted to enjoy Dortmund’s first Champions League final in 11 years as a supporter. The German has regularly spoken about his eagerness to live a “normal life” and, as a result of that, enjoy football as a supporter.
Liverpool not planning for Darwin Nunez
Liverpool are reportedly not planning to offload Darwin Nunez this summer despite the Uruguayan’s frustrating end to the season.
The 24-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions for the Reds but found himself behind Cody Gakpo in the pecking order towards the end of the season and started just one of the last six Premier League games as a result.
However, according to James Pearce of The Athletic, Liverpool are looking forward to Nunez working with new head coach Arne Slot and certainly not looking to sell the striker.
Speaking on The Anfield Wrap podcast, Pearce said: “A lot of noise toward the back end of last season about Darwin Nunez, but I’m led to believe that there’s absolutely no desire to be looking to move him on.
“They believe Slot can work with him and help him fulfil his potential.”
The ECHO says: Despite Nunez’s disappointing end to the season, it would be a foolish move for the Reds to part ways with the 24-year-old this summer.
After all, the Uruguayan has gone through arguably the toughest patches of his Anfield career and will be aiming to continue improving his output in front of goal in the 2024/25 season.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
