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Arne Slot has held talks with Rayan Cherki, despite the player not being his priority transfer target(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool have a big challenge ahead of them this summer as Arne Slot looks to build on his Premier League title-winning squad to ensure the Reds remain in contention to retain their crown.

The Dutchman enjoyed an incredible first season at Anfield as his side cruised to the title, beating nearest rivals Arsenal by 10 points.

Slot has had challenges in this window after Trent Alexander-Arnold decided to leave Liverpool, but the Reds were able to get a transfer fee of around £10million for their boyhood talent.

The club moved quickly to find his replacement as they snapped up Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool are also chasing more depth in midfield.

Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz is top of Slot's wishlist while Lyon's Rayan Cherki has also been linked.

Mirror Football has taken a look at the top Liverpool transfer news as the club continues to be active early in the window.

READ MORE:Gary Neville left stunned by Liverpool after 'incredible' £10m transferREAD MORE:Liverpool's Rayan Cherki agreement met amid ongoing Florian Wirtz transfer negotiations

Cherki is set to have huge interest in him this summer after his fantastic season with Lyon, where he registered 12 goals and 19 assists across all competitions.

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Liverpool's rivals Manchester City have also been strongly linked with signing Cherki as Guardiola looks for more quality further up the pitch.

But the Reds are hoping to stay in the mix for Cherki in the event a move for Wirtz is blocked - with Leverkusen chasing around £125m for their star player.

Slot honoured his word by speaking to the French playmaker, with Florian Wirtz his preferred target(Image: OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Slot is desperate for more depth in the No 10 role and according to the Athletic, he held talks with Cherki shortly after the club's final game of the season against Crystal Palace.

Even though Wirtz is much higher up his wishlist, the discussions had been tabled before the possibility of signing him emerged, and Slot wanted to honour his word to speak to the France Under 21 star.

Cherki remains a back-up option for Liverpool and the playmaker would have been a primary target had Wirtz resisted a move to Anfield.

But with Wirtz receptive to the idea of joining Liverpool, City now look likely to sign Cherki after they themselves were turned down by the Leverkusen player.

Liverpool have confirmed their second major outgoing this summer after Alexander-Arnold's exit - with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher leaving for Brentford.

The Irishman has been forced to accept a back-up role at Anfield behind Slot's first choice Alisson, though he has impressed when given a chance to play in the Brazilian's place.

Kelleher deputised 20 times for Liverpool this season after Alisson struggled on the sidelines with injury and he will now be looking forward to becoming a No 1 option for the Bees after they sold Mark Flekken.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has completed a move to Brentford(Image: Getty Images)

Speaking for the first time since signing for Thomas Frank's men, Kelleher said it was "not difficult" for him to leave Liverpool because of the lack of opportunities.

"I’m buzzing, I’m really happy to be here.

I don’t think it was very difficult for me to leave [Liverpool].

Once I knew Brentford was in for me, it was definitely one I was really excited about and wanted to do as quickly as possible.

"When I come back for pre-season, all focus will be on what I want to do next year; to work on certain goals and what I need to improve on, and to have a really good season for Brentford."

Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid came as no surprise to anyone - but what caught some people off guard was the fact the La Liga side decided to pay £10m for him, despite the player becoming a free agent at the end of the month.

Madrid splashed the cash to ensure the England right-back was available for their Club World Cup campaign in the United States, which has a total prize of around £100m for the winner.

Alexander-Arnold is set to slot straight into Xabi Alonso's team due to their lack of options at right-back, which is another factor why Madrid were so keen to wrap up the deal as quickly as possible.

Gary Neville was left stunned that Liverpool managed to get Real Madrid to pay £10m for Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images/Getty Images For The Premier League)

Gary Neville has led the baffled reaction over how Liverpool were able to collect such a fee despite most expecting the boyhood star to leave on a free transfer.

"Honestly, no, I mean, I’m stunned by that really, that £10m has changed hands for, but there is £100m pounds at stake in this World Club Championship and Real Madrid have got a great chance of doing it," he said on the It's Called Soccer podcast on the US Overlap channel.

"So you imagine if he plays in this tournament, they haven’t got a right back that’s playing there naturally at this moment in time.

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