Liverpool could wrap up the perfect free signing this summer – Opinion

For a player potentially available without a transfer fee, the upside is obvious.

And for a club needing to be smart with its resources this summer, it fits the model perfectly.

Photo: IMAGO

Built for the Next Manager, Not the Current One

It is becoming increasingly difficult to view Liverpool’s transfer links through the lens of the current manager. Arne Slot’s future feels uncertain at best, and decisions like this suggest planning that extends beyond his tenure.

This is not a move that aligns with what we are currently seeing on the pitch.

Liverpool under Slot has looked disjointed, structurally confused, and tactically inconsistent. There has been little to suggest a clear long-term defensive identity, let alone one that would require a specialist like Senesi.

Which brings us to the bigger picture.

If Liverpool is indeed preparing for a managerial change—as many expect—then this type of signing makes far more sense. Under a coach like Xabi Alonso, who has demonstrated a clear preference for fluid systems and back-three structures, Senesi becomes a logical and valuable addition.

Alonso’s teams rely heavily on ball-playing defenders who are comfortable operating in wider channels and contributing to build-up phases. Senesi fits that profile almost perfectly. His composure, positioning, and distribution would allow Liverpool to evolve tactically without needing a complete defensive overhaul.

And that is where the intelligence of this move lies.

It is not reactive. It is proactive.

Rather than waiting for a new manager to arrive and then scrambling to reshape the squad, Liverpool appears to be laying the groundwork early. Identifying players who can adapt to multiple systems, who raise the technical floor of the team, and who do so without major financial outlay.

That is how transitions should be managed.

Of course, none of this matters if the direction at the top remains unclear. But increasingly, moves like this suggest that clarity may already exist behind the scenes.

Senesi would not be a headline signing.

But he could be an important one.

Because sometimes, the smartest transfers are not about who you are—but about who you are about to become.