Dave Davis: “Fans Beaten Down to Expect No Purchases Unless Players Sold”

Anfield Index

·14 March 2025

Dave Davis: “Fans Beaten Down to Expect No Purchases Unless Players Sold”

FSG, Transfer Budget & Backing Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Crucial Summer Decisions

Liverpool are on the cusp of a transformative summer. With the Premier League title within reach, attention is already shifting towards what comes next. Arne Slot, stepping into the massive void left by Jürgen Klopp, faces a pivotal transition period.

As Trev Downey put it on the Big Decisions Podcast for Anfield Index, Liverpool are “standing on shifting sands right now.” Contracts remain unresolved, transfer budgets are a mystery, and FSG’s long-term strategy is under scrutiny.

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Contract Uncertainty: Van Dijk and Salah in Limbo

For months, Liverpool fans have debated the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. The expectation was that their deals would be extended smoothly. Yet, with the season nearing its end, there’s still no resolution.

Van Dijk’s comments after the PSG defeat were particularly striking:

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next season. If anyone says they do know, they are lying to your face.”

That does not sound like a captain confident about his future. And it’s not just him—Salah remains in limbo, despite being arguably the best player in the world on current form.

Downey didn’t hold back:

“Liverpool currently are the proud employers of the best centre-half and the best attacker in world football… and we are in the laughably stupid position of not having those guys comfortable in their knowledge that they have a future at Anfield. I fail to see any logic in that.”

Why the delay? Could it be a contract standoff from FSG? Or, as Dave Davis suggested, could this be the owners pressing the biggest reset button in Liverpool’s modern history?

Major Outgoings: Nunez, Alexander-Arnold, and the Unexpected Overhaul

The departures at Anfield this summer could be bigger than anyone anticipated. According to Downey, several key players could be leaving:

Darwin Nunez: “I think Darwin’s absolutely out the gate. And the main reason for that is he will bring money in.”
Luis Díaz: Persistent rumours, fuelled by comments from his father, suggest a move could happen.
Diogo Jota: “If these guys are as ruthless as we’re told, they’ll see this as the last chance to get money for him.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Silence around his contract is deafening. As Downey noted, “Why would you not just say ‘I want to stay’? Instead, we get his brother coming out with Trent McManaman.”

If those players leave, Liverpool’s front line will be completely reshaped.

The Transfer Budget Puzzle: Will FSG Spend?

With so many outgoings, the question remains: Will FSG reinvest properly?

For years, Liverpool’s transfer dealings have operated within a strict sell-to-buy model. There’s no sign that will change, despite the club needing serious investment in key areas.

Dave Davis summarised the situation perfectly:

“We used to hear about war chests. Now? We’ve been beaten down to expect no purchases unless the sales can pay for them.”

So who comes in?

Alexander Isak has been persistently linked, but Downey isn’t convinced: “If you do the sums on Isak’s reported fee, that’s a lot of sales, buddy.”
Milos Kerkez, a left-back from Bournemouth, feels more realistic: “This one won’t go away. Does it feel a bit like a Mac Allister deal? Maybe.”

The concern is clear—Liverpool must reinvest wisely. A mass exodus could fund new arrivals, but without a clear strategy, the rebuild could spiral out of control.

Back Arne Slot: FSG’s Defining Summer

One thing is certain: Arne Slot needs backing.

Liverpool’s incoming manager has inherited a talented squad, but if FSG want sustained success, they must ensure he has the right players.

Downey summed it up best:

“We want this to become a period of extended success, not just a title, then four years, then another title. We want to cruise away from City and United.”

To do that, Liverpool must get this summer right. That means securing Van Dijk and Salah’s futures, making smart transfer decisions, and ensuring FSG don’t repeat past mistakes.

Will they rise to the occasion? Or is this the beginning of another long cycle of transition?

One thing’s for sure—this is the most important Liverpool summer in years.