Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have a close eye on some of his players who are currently away on international duty.
Euro 2024 and Copa America continue to dominate the headlines this summer but the attention will be back on the Premier League soon enough.
Liverpool will be a fascinating watch as they begin life after Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds enjoyed a superb spell with Klopp in charge but the German decided to step aside at the end of the season.
Liverpool decided to move in for Arne Slot as their new boss, handing him a huge step up from Dutch side Feyenoord.
Slot won a league title in Rotterdam but now faces enormous expectation levels at Liverpool – and the almost impossible task of replacing Klopp.
Cody Gakpo praised by Daniel Sturridge
Slot will be looking to assess his Liverpool players over pre-season with a new era upon the club.
The Dutchman will ultimately already be familiar with some players and Cody Gakpo is a perfect example.
Gakpo was a sensation for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie, racking up the goals right in front of Slot.
Now a key man for the Netherlands, Gakpo had a huge impact in a 3-0 win over Romania on Tuesday.
Gakpo scored the opener to set the Netherlands on their way before brilliantly teeing up Donyell Malen to add number two.
The Liverpool ace masterfully kept the ball in play when Romanian defenders appeared to have given up, putting the game out of sight.
That is now three goals in four games at this tournament and Gakpo is again showing his brilliance on the international stage.
Gakpo was exceptional at the 2022 World Cup, prompting a big move to Liverpool just a month later.
Now shining for the Netherlands again, Gakpo has been praised by former Reds star Daniel Sturridge.
Sturridge believes that Gakpo simply looks like a different player for the Netherlands having blown hot and cold for Liverpool.
Sturridge also called on Liverpool to get the best out of him moving forward, leaving that at Slot’s feet as he starts work at Anfield.
Slot certainly knows all about Gakpo’s qualities and he may view the Netherlands star as a key player moving forward.
Gakpo has excelled as a left winger for the Netherlands but has predominantly played as a striker in a Liverpool shirt.
Luis Diaz’s future appears a little unclear and Gakpo may well be able to nail down that spot under Slot having impressed in Germany this summer.
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