Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot's attacking depth assessed as 'unsellable' star ready to make impact in Premier League race

Liverpool will be looking to retain their Premier League title, and Arne Slot reportedly tells a forward he is unsellable as he will play a key role this season.

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa is now considered unsellable by Arne Slot, who told the attacker that he will not be sold this summer, the latest report has claimed.

The Reds began their Premier League title defence with a 4-2 victory against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, but the champions initially threw away a 2-0 lead in the second half.

When Antoine Semenyo netted a 74th-minute equaliser, Slot had already substituted striker Hugo Ekitike, and his attacking options on the bench were limited.

The Dutch boss turned to Chiesa in the 82nd minute, and the Italian was deployed as a number nine, scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Slot now sees the forward as an integral part of his plans at Anfield, and that an exit this summer has been ruled out entirely.

What are Liverpool's current attacking options?

Chiesa has operated across the frontline in his career, and he could be a strong option as a backup centre-forward or right-winger.

Mohamed Salah is arguably the Reds' best player, though at 33 years old he may not be able to play at his best without rotation, and it would not be surprising if Chiesa was brought in when the Egyptian needed a rest.

Ekitike is the club's current first-choice striker, and but given it is his first season in England, he may at times experience difficulties when adapting to the pace of play in the Premier League.

Cody Gakpo is Liverpool's only senior option on the left following the exit of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, and it would be unfair to expect teenager Rio Ngumoha to make much of an impact this season considering he is only 16.

Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota would have been options for Slot, but the former was sold to Al-Hilal this summer, while the latter tragically passed away in early July.

Who should Liverpool sign in the summer transfer window to retain their title?

Liverpool have strongly been linked to the signature of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, and the forward would significantly boost the team's attacking depth.

The Swede would almost certainly claim the starting nine spot, and while it may seem harsh on Ekitike, the Frenchman is versatile enough to play from the left.

Gakpo would become a bench option if Ekitike was moved to the left, and having him and Chiesa as rotational pieces would help Slot navigate trickier periods of the season.

If Ekitike was seen as a backup to Isak, perhaps the Reds could look to bring in another winger to compete with Gakpo, with Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola linked.

It remains to be seen if the Reds would be able to afford both Isak and Barcola, but the duo would strengthen an already exceptional squad.

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