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Liverpool step up their pre-season preparations when Arne Slot and his growing squad travel to the United States this week for their pre-season tour. The Reds will play three friendlies stateside against high-profile opposition - Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United.

So far the the new manager has been forced to contend with a number of outside factors in his first fortnight with the club. Chiefly these stem from the scheduled European Championships and Copa America tournaments, from which the club's international contingent are arriving back late whilst recruitment has been made that much more difficult.

No new signings have been announced since Slot's arrival, so supporters are eagerly awaiting movement on this front whilst the club's rivals intending the close the gap below begin to strengthen their own squads.

That has only heightened frustrations for those looking in on Anfield, although patience is required for those taking charge both in the dugout and behind to gain an educated understanding of what they must do.

"When August starts and coaches have had more time to work with players, I think the opinions will then be more set at football clubs," Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes said during his official unveiling earlier this month.

"You then may see a situation in August, there is a little bit of a hurry to get things done and to make sure everyone's squads are in order. I see a quiet July, then a crescendo in August."

No matter the official word, speculation has only escalated, although the Reds remain steadfast in their stance - the club will not be swayed by international performances of the past month into conducting business prematurely.

Any transfer decisions can only be fully informed once the whole squad have played a part in this summer's warm-up fixtures and gained a sense of the change from Jurgen Klopp to Slot's new system. Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Ibrahima Konate, Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister are all still on leave that will extend into pre-season due to their international duties running into the knockout stages.

This emphasises why there isn't currently an obvious priority in the market for Liverpool, despite there being clear areas for improvement. Numbers suggest there would be little surprise if a new defender arrives in the next six weeks, but then again the emergence of Sepp van den Berg coming back from several loans may suggest one is not required after all.

Meanwhile Wataru Endo perhaps allayed fears over replacing Fabinho last season, but Stefan Bajcetic's return from injury will add another player into the squad whose pathway would only be blocked by a new signing.

Therefore it is a delicate game being managed by those in power, and any incomings seem to rest on outgoings.

Starting with the goalkeeping department, Alisson continues to draw attention from Saudi Arabia but still has three years remaining on his Anfield deal. Secondary option Caoimhin Kelleher has spoke of his readiness to become a starting option, and rightly so after standing in so confidently last season. He has committed to the club for the upcoming season, though his transfer cannot be ruled out. Finally, academy star Vitezslav Jaros will step up following veteran Adrian's departure.

As for the defence, the glaring priority will be to arrange new contracts for captain Van Dijk and vice-captain Alexander-Arnold as their deals expire next June as it stands. Asides from that Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams should be allowed to permanently move on for inconsequential fees, then two more decisions must be made.

The first is Van Den Berg - keep or sell. He is said to have initially impressed the new management upon their arrival for pre-season, so the chance to claim a place at Liverpool should be afforded. If the central defender does end up leaving, although he was never part of the squad, a new signing must be targeted to maintain competitiveness amongst Slot's options.

Following that the left-back spot can be singled out in this analysis as the area requiring the most attention. Robertson is expected to keep his starting role under Slot, but is now 30-years-old. Tsimikas meanwhile has bounced between convincing and unconvincing whenever handed minutes last year, so the £11.7m Greek international cannot truly make the 'not for sale' list.

An option similar in profile and quality to Joe Gomez, one that can play in multiple positions though perhaps naturally left-sided, would instil greater confidence. This brief would suggest Marc Guehi, who the club may have no interest in signing, or Murillo, who has flirted with the idea of an Anfield switch, as stand-out candidates. Given the stance with the former and the latter's similarity to Van Dijk in tackling and ball-playing techniques, let's go with the talented Nottingham Forest man.

For midfield, the club largely attended to this area when undertaking major surgery 12 months ago so small focus may be required depending on the futures of fringe players. Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho have both spent time away on loan last season, and offers could be listened to if matching Liverpool's evaluation. Loans could even be considered for others within youth ranks that made their debuts under Klopp, but ultimately all have proven why they deserve a chance at least.

And finally amongst the attackers, Mohamed Salah sits in the same boat as Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, so his situation requires the most immediate attention. Luis Diaz's name is the one that draws attention after that as he has been rumoured to make an exit over some months now. The Colombian staying put is preferable, but if he were to go then a world-class replacement would be required.