Liverpool will have to wait another week to clinch Champions League qualification after a disappointing 1-1 draw against Chelsea. Arne Slot's side needed a victory to secure their passage into the tournament but can do so next week against fellow top five rivals Aston Villa.
Slot under fire after Chelsea draw
Despite the Dutchman looking likely to remain in charge beyond this summer to mark his third season at Anfield, he came in for major flak during the match. His decision to take off Rio Ngumoha for Alexander Isak was heavily booed, with more audible frustration following at the full-time whistle.
The game illustrated what the club's future would look like without Mohamed Salah, who missed the action through injury. A replacement for the Egyptian icon could potentially have been identified, while the Reds could find themselves battling Arsenal for another transfer target.
Juventus set Conceicao price tag
Securing a successor to Mohamed Salah is of paramount importance this summer. The Reds will be scouring the market for several attacking additions, with Juventus' Francisco Conceicao reportedly among their targets. The Portugal international, 23, is subject to interest from Arne Slot's side, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport. The winger possesses quite the asking price with the report claiming the Turin side are seeking £60m (€70m) for his services, just a year after forking out a fee of £27m to buy him permanently from Porto.
The price tag could prove to be a stumbling block considering the forward has netted just four goals and provided a further four assists in 39 games across all competitions. He has one goal in his last 15 league games, with the Reds likely to have a dossier when it comes to replacing one of the greatest players in the club's history.
Battling Arsenal for £60m star
Attention will also be paid to the opposite wing to Salah, where Liverpool have sorely lacked in the absence of Luis Diaz. Not replacing the Colombian after his move to Bayern Munich always looked like a risk, and it's a decision that has come back to haunt the Reds. Among the names linked with a move to Anfield, Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola is said to be a key target for Slot, according to Sky Sports Germany. Arsenal are also said to be monitoring the left winger, who is valued at €70m (£60m), according to transfermarkt.
The 23-year-old - who is out of contract in 2028 - has scored 14 goals and added five assists in all competitions but is second choice in his position to Kvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Reds will certainly be able to offer him more playing time, especially with the downturn in form of Cody Gakpo, but convincing the star to leave the best team in Europe currently will prove to be a hard task.
