Arne Slot Reveals Stance On Emergency Signing as Injury Crisis Worsen

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has shared his stance on the Reds chances of bringing in some new players before the January transfer window closes.

Slots’ team secured their place in the Champions League round of 16 with a comfortable 6-0 win over Qarabag. However, the victory was marred with injuries to top players such as Jeremie Frimpong.

Frimpong went down injured after less than two minutes and will need to be examined to discover the extent of his injury. The Dutch right-back has struggled with hamstring injuries during his debut campaign on Merseyside, and might have to sit out of their next match against Newcastle.

Jeremie Frimpong leaves the pitch with an injury during the UEFA Champions League  match between Liverpool and Qarabag. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

“It’s a muscle injury, but I don’t know how long that is going to be,” Liverpool boss Slot said on Frimpong’s latest setback after the game. “It’s a muscle so it’s not a knee [injury] and a muscle usually has to do with overloading a player.

“Not always, of course, because he stretched in the moment, but it is the risk.

“That’s why I took Hugo [Ekitike] and Florian [Wirtz] off tonight as well, because those are the players that are not as used as Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or Dom [Szoboszlai], who play longer at both of these levels.”

Frimpong’s injury adds further to a defensive selection headache for Slot, who is already without both Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni for the season.

Ibrahima Konate has missed Liverpool’s last three matches following the death of his father, while Joe Gomez also sat out against Qarabag with a knock sustained in the last-gasp defeat by Bournemouth.

Mohamed Salah celebrating his go against  Qarabag. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was forced to deputise alongside captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

Asked if the current injury problem will force Liverpool into considering potential emergency or loan signings before next Monday night’s transfer deadline, Slot was precise with his answer.

“We as a club always make decisions that we, at least, think [are] smart decisions,” he said. “So, we not only look at the short term, we also look at the long term, longer term – that’s why we sign young players as well, very good players but young ones that can still develop.

“Now we can see this development with a few and it always depends on the players available that we think can help us. And if they are, can we afford them? And does this also be helpful for the longer-term future because our players come back from injury as well?”

“I just said we don’t have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four No.9s – that’s not how it works over here. So, we have to do the smart things for the near future but also for the longer future.

“Let’s first see how Jeremie is. Maybe he’s not able to play Saturday but maybe he’s able to play one or two days later. We now go into a schedule with one game a week, so that would usually mean less injuries but you’re never sure.”