Arne Slott talks about Liverpool’s transfer plans. (Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slott insists Liverpool will “wait for the right time” to strengthen their squad and will not rule out new signings before the January transfer window closes. Long-term injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley have led to suggestions that the Reds should strengthen their backline.
However, Crystal Palace withdrew from his £35m contract and summer target Marc Guehi is now on his way to Manchester City after undergoing a medical on the eve of the deadline. City have also completed the signing of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, another player previously linked with the Premier League champions.
Liverpool’s January campaign has instead focused on youth development, signing Senegal Under-20 international Mol Tara Ndiay from Amitie and moving closer to completing a deal for Austrian teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Asked about potential signings this month, Slott remained characteristically wary but admitted he, sporting director Richard Hughes and his recruitment team were all in agreement on whether to make a move in the market.
Asked earlier this month about defensive reinforcements, Slott said: “So, is there less growth offensively? I’m a little surprised that people are talking about this.” “Do you think we have more options on our front line? I’m surprised people are paying so much attention to our last line.
“We don’t have any injuries in midfield so that’s our injury-free line, but I think I said it in the press conference and I’ll say it again.
“Everyone is aligned, everyone knows what the challenges are, everyone agrees, but that doesn’t mean there is no possibility of action, because, as you know, this club has always waited for the right moment and never panicked.
“We always do the right thing at the right time. The players who were here before me also had problems at the back in one season.
Marc Gehi will join Manchester City instead of Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
“Whatever the position in the team is, it could be in the back line, midfield or attack, if the right player arrives for multiple reasons, we will act.
“If not, we will do it with the players we have now, because Wata (Wataru Endo) is also back. At the moment we only have three players out with long-term injuries (Leoni, Bradley, Alexander Isak).”
“Unless there is an opportunity or an opportunity in the market, (we won’t move), but I think we’ve shown how we will act during this period or in the summer. It’s a very careful, very detailed process, it’s not something that’s going to be done in two weeks, it’s going to be over a long period of time, but then we’ll act at the right time.”
“But it could be a different situation if there is an opportunity in the market or if the situation worsens further.”
On the possibility of players leaving this month, Slott added: “I don’t think this club will completely rule out any possibility, as is always the approach when signing players.”
“This club has consistently proven that if another club makes a suitable offer, we can arrive at a decision that we all agree on, as I believe it is a correct and fair offer, including the views of not only myself but also the sporting director and owner.”
“But at the moment our focus is on working with the players we have, so you all know very well how this club is run.
“I’ve said it many times before, even a few months ago, when everyone is talking about our £450m spend, they seem to overlook the fact that we sold for £300m. And I can’t blame anyone for this oversight, because the truth is we at Liverpool are quite the exception when it comes to sales.
“Normally most clubs in the Premier League only buy, but that’s why our achievement is extraordinary. This club is run very efficiently, which has allowed us to perform at the level we have in recent years.”
