Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists he is keen to strengthen his squad following their two pre-season friendlies at Anfield on Sunday.
The Reds are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing in the transfer window so far, and have been linked with a move for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
Slot's reign as Jurgen Klopp's successor has proved to be a seamless transition, winning three of his five games in charge (two draws).
The latest of which came on his Anfield debut, securing a 4-1 win over Sevilla, followed by a goalless draw against Las Palmas in a behind-closed doors match.
And while the Dutchman is confident signings will arrive on Merseyside, he was quick to acknowledge the strong Liverpool squad he has inherited.
"I think as a club like we are, we are always looking if we can strengthen the squad. But it’s not so easy to strengthen the squad if you see both games today," said Slot.
"I’ve said many times before that I’ve inherited a really strong team and if we can and if we think it’s possible, we will strengthen the squad. But only if we think we can and if it’s possible.
Both matches at Anfield saw several first-team players in action, with all of Liverpool's representatives at the Copa America and Euro 2024 all back with the squad.
The likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez all featured on Sunday, but Slot said his players are not quite where he would like them to be in regards to their fitness.
"No, ideally we would have had them from the start, all of them," Slot started. "Then, players like Virgil [van Dijk] and all the others that went off after 60, 70 minutes could have played the whole game. But I am pleased, if you look at the situation.
"These players had to go to a holiday, a lot of them came back really strong. And the ones I had from the start stayed fit for all the time.
"Yeah, pleased with the fitness level the team has, and also without injuries at the moment, and that is an important thing in pre-season."
Van Persie starts Heerenveen reign with opening day defeat to Ajax
Robin van Persie’s coaching debut ended in defeat as Heerenveen lost 1-0 in their opening game of the new Eredivisie season to 36-time champions Ajax.
Van Persie, who had previously managed at Feyenoord's academy, saw his side unable to recover from Kristian Hlynsson's goal on the stroke of half-time.
The former Manchester United striker saw his side manage an expected goals (xG) of 0.39 from their seven shots on target, but believed his side deserved something from the encounter.
“Based on the entire match, there might have been more in it,” Van Persie said shortly after the full-time whistle.
“We had a few chances in the first half. We had hoped that one of them would have gone in and created a bit more belief.
"In the second half, you could see our intentions but we didn't really create any chances.
With a week to prepare for their first home against Utrecht on August 17, Van Persie knows what he must work on with his players to get their first win on the board.
“We are going to face FC Utrecht next week in high spirits," Van Persie added.
“With this way of playing, I cannot promise that we will win every match, but in terms of intensity and sometimes also quality, this is football as I think you should play it. We will show that every week."
Arteta confident Calafiori will improve Arsenal after impressive debut
Mikel Arteta is confident new signing Riccardo Calafiori will improve Arsenal this season to end their 10-year wait for a Premier League title.
Calafiori, who joined the Gunners from Bologna in a reported £42million move, made his Arsenal debut in their 2-0 win over Lyon at the Emirates on Sunday.
The 22-year-old impressed on his first outing for his new club, replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko just after the hour mark for his first minutes since Euro 2024.
Arsenal have improved defensively during Arteta's tenure, boasting the best record for goals conceded in the Premier League last season (29).
And while Calafiori offers another solid option at the back for Arteta to call upon, the Spaniard is confident he will also improve his side going forward.
"He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, he can occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender," Arteta said.
"When you see his presence, his physicality, how he goes to the duels, he’s unbelievable. Obviously, he’s done a lot last year and I think he’s a player that can improve us."
"We are managing them, it’s a lot of new things for him. It’s a big step up, but he’s so willing as you could see, for the 20 minutes that he played, he’s so energetic, so passionate, a really intelligent player. He’s going to give us a lot."
Both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber were notable absentees from their Emirates Cup success, but Arteta is confident the pair are nearing a return to action.
"It's fine," Arteta said on Timber. "He's been doing some individual work, that's clear now.
"So we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive.
"I think it will take weeks on that one unfortunately," Arteta added on Tomiyasu's fitness. "He's going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it's going to take a few weeks."
The Gunners kickstart their quest for the Premier League title next Saturday when they welcome Wolves, a side they have not lost to at the Emirates since 2020, to North London.
'It is my season,' says Roma's Abraham after injury layoff
Tammy Abraham is relishing his return to Serie A action with Roma, labelling the upcoming campaign as his season to shine under Daniele De Rossi.
Abraham, who scored 27 goals in his debut season with the Italian side, spent much of last year on the sidelines after sustaining an ACL injury against Spezia in June.
Despite his absence, the Giallorossi were among the top scorers in Italy's top flight, with only Inter (89), Milan (76) and Atalanta (72) scoring more than Roma's 65 league goals.
Abraham has netted 37 goals in his 119 appearances since his move from Chelsea back in 2021, becoming the first English player in thirty years to score more than 10 goals in a Serie A season.
The Englishman is keen to hit the ground running when Roma start their league campaign against Cagliari next week.
"Since the first day here in Rome I have wanted to demonstrate my passion for football and my desire to help the club", Abraham said.
"I am a smiling and always positive person. This is my first post-injury preparation, it is my season and I want to show that I am back.
"The rumours, obviously, are nice, it means you are doing well, but I am here with Roma and I am available to do my best."
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