With Jurgen Klopp gone, Liverpool’s focus has turned to making sure they are ready to give Arne Slot the best tools possible.
After all the emphasis of the past few weeks had been on saying farewell to the outgoing manager, it’s now time to draw a line under things.
As much as it hurts, Klopp is history and FSG must now be doing as much as they can to back Slot and make the improvements needed to the Liverpool squad.
In reality, there isn’t all that much required to bring the Reds up to where they need to be. A centre-back is reportedly on the agenda, as well as a new wide forward. Aside from that, Liverpool are relatively well stocked.
The one area where this could still change is in the goalkeeping department. With doubts over Caoimhin Kelleher’s immediate future, it has now been claimed that Liverpool are preparing to sign a new deputy to Alisson Becker.
Liverpool targeting Justin Bijlow
If Kelleher does leave, then Liverpool are going to have to replace him. The Irishman has shown his quality this season.
There is a chance that the Reds could do that internally. Vitezslav Jaros has had a top season in Austria with Sturm Graz, winning the league and impressing those back at Anfield.
If it is to be a promotion from the youth ranks, then Jaros would be the most likely candidate.
However, according to Dutch outlet De Telegraaf, Liverpool are looking outside of their own club in preparation of plugging the gap left by Kelleher. They claim that the Reds are targeting Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.
Liverpool are said to have Bijlow in mind as a ‘serious’ option to become their new second-choice goalkeeper.
The pursuit of the 26-year-old is reportedly completely separate from the appointment of Slot. The Reds are claimed to have been scouting Bijlow in the Champions League group stage this season, long before Slot himself was targeted. Arsenal are also said to be heavily interested.
Who is Justin Biljow?
For those who don’t follow Dutch football, this is likely the first time they’re coming across Bijlow. The Netherlands international has been at Feyenoord throughout his whole career. Having come through the youth teams, Bijlow has now made 143 appearances for his boyhood club.
At 26, he is not a young ‘keeper anymore, but has been beset by injuries during his time as a first-team player.
Despite nominally being Slot’s No.1, Bijlow has missed 38 Eredivisie games over the past three seasons. That doesn’t bode too well for Liverpool.
Away from the injury concerns, the Feyenoord man looks like a decent ‘keeper. He’s been named in the provisional Euro 2024 squad for the Netherlands and with eight caps has more than each of the other three goalie’s called up.
As you might expect, Bijlow is also a big fan of Slot. Speaking to De Telegraaf in April, the stopper raved about the job Liverpool’s new head coach has done at De Kuip. One to keep an eye on.