Liverpool's stunning £238m summer transfer window predicted with Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid deals

It has been a summer of change at Liverpool as Arne Slot was named as successor to Jurgen Klopp after the former Reds boss brought down the curtain on a highly successful reign at Anfield.

With the Premier League season now just over a week away, Slot is still waiting to make his first new addition to the squad he inherited earlier this summer. That is not to say there has not been any business conducted since the end of last season as youngster Calvin Ramsey has joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan, long-serving defender Joel Matip was released at the end of his contract and goalkeeper Adrian returned to Spain to join Real Betis.

But we wondered what further business Slot could oversee as he looks to build on the solid foundations left behind by Klopp. So we fired up Football Manager 2024 to see how the world’s most popular managerial simulation believes the next four weeks will play out at Anfield.

Goalkeepers

Slot made his first signing with a £20m deal for Italian goalkeeper Stefano Turati as the Sassuolo stopper was brought in to provide competition and cover for Alisson and Caoimhin Kelleher. Czech keeper Vitezslav Jaros has also been promoted to the senior setup at Anfield.

Slot’s goalkeeping options: Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros, Turati

Defenders

There were a fair number of changes in the defensive ranks as Slot made a big money double addition at the back. Firstly, the Reds boss saw off competition from the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea, Juventus and Barcelona to land a £42m deal for Sporting’s highly-rated centre-back Goncalo Inacio. Further competition was added at right-back too as Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui, who has been linked with Manchester United in the real world, was secured in a £28m deal. There were outgoings as Sepp van den Berg, Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez joined Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea respectively and raked in £57m in transfer fees. Rhys Williams also departed as he joined Birmingham City on loan.

Slot’s defensive options: Konate, Van Dijk, Quansah, Phillips, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Inacio, Mazroaui, Bradley

Midfielders

There was an eye-catching addition in the middle of the park as Slot brought in Porto’s Argentina international Alan Varela in a £57m deal. His arrival meant the Reds boss allowed Wataru Endo to join PSV Eindhoven in an £18m deal and Ryan Gravenbach agreed to a £16m switch to Marseille. There were two loan departures as Tyler Morton and Bobby Clark agreed respective season-long loan switches to Championship duo Derby County and Bristol City. Fabio Carvalho also departed on loan as he moved to Germany to join Borussia Monchengladbach.

Slot’s midfield options: Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott, Szoboszlai, Varela

Forwards

There was little change at the top end of the pitch as there were no departures and just one arrival as Barcelona’s former Manchester City star Ferran Torres agreed a season-long loan with Liverpool and that move will become a £30m permanent switch next summer.

Slot’s forward options: Diaz, Gakpo, Jota, Salah, Nunez, Torres, Doak

Ins

Mazraoui (£28m from Bayern), Inacio (£42m Sporting CP), Varela (£57m from Porto), Torres (loan from Barca), Turati (£20m from Sassuolo)

Outs

Adrian (free to Real Betis), Ramsey (loan to Wigan Athletic), Matip (released), Bajcetic (loan to Rangers), Van den Berg (£12m to Lazio), Gomez (£32m to Chelsea), Endo (£18m to PSV Eindhoven), Williams (loan to Birmingham City), Carvalho (loan to Borussia Monchengladbach), Tsimikas (£13m to Atletico Madrid), Gravenbach (£16m to Marseille), Morton (loan to Derby County), Clark (loan to Bristol City)