Arne Slot 'happy' with squad for next season

Arne Slot rang the changes as Liverpool suffered defeat at Chelsea, but the Dutchman insists he is 'happy' with his squad ahead of next season.

Six changes were made to the side that comprehensively defeated Tottenham to clinch the Premier League title last weekend.

Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo were handed their first starts of the campaign but were both replaced after 70 minutes as Chelsea ran out 3-1 winners at Stamford Bridge.

After the game Arne Slot was asked whether his team selection was influenced by wanting to assess his squad for next year.

This was something Slot was keen to dismiss, saying: "They deserve to play these games because they have trained so hard this season. Every time they did so well so that's why I think they deserved to play this game.

"We don't judge them only on this game, we judge them every day on the training ground and in the moments that they play for us."

Virgil van Dijk indicated that a 'big summer' is needed at the club when he signed his new deal, but Arne Slot was quick to express his satisfaction with his squad.

Slot said: "It's already a big summer because we extended Virgil and Mo and for large parts of the season, I don't think everyone expected that. For us to keep them is a big thing.

"I've said already that I am happy with the squad we have. We will see what the summer brings but sometimes it can be good to bring fresh energy. It has already been a good summer and we won the league."

Reports suggest that Liverpool could renew the contract of a third player ahead of the summer with Luis Diaz set for fresh talks with the club.

The Colombian winger made his 100th Premier League appearance in Liverpool's 5-1 win over Spurs last Sunday and has directly contributed to 19 league goals this season.

With two years left on his current deal, links to Barcelona and Al-Nassr continue to persist.

William Dobbie

• Liverpool F.C.
• Premier League
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