Liverpool manager Arne Slot has insisted that he is happy with his Liverpool squad and hinted they won’t move to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi this month.
The Reds had a £35m deal collapse on deadline day in September and could move again this month, with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitting yesterday they would sell for the right price.
While Liverpool were favourites to sign the England international before the January transfer window opened, Manchester City could move after losing Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias to injury.
In what would be regarded as a huge turn around, Slot is not convinced Liverpool will sign their summer top target this January.
Marc Guehi during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
“I never talk about transfers in public, let alone talking about a transfer from another club,” he said on Wednesday, reports the Liverpool Echo. “My answer is always the same. We don’t talk about players that are not ours.”
“I am really happy with the squad we have. All the decisions made last summer and the summer before are completely aligned with me, Richard [Hughes] and the ownership. This season has shown how talented this group is and if everyone is available how good a team we can be.”
Slot added: “There is nothing, nothing, nothing positive from players being injured but maybe if I can think about the narrative that we have spent so much money and every time I say, ‘no, we replaced and spent a little bit more than came in’, and no-one wanted to hear it.
“But maybe now for the first time people do see we replaced and with very good players. The last game and the games before I could impact the game from the bench because Jeremie Frimpong came in and gave an assist.
“This club is in a very good place if everyone is available – and we are getting stronger and stronger – for the short-term future but definitely also for the mid to long-term future.”
Liverpool centre-back options have been limited to Ibrahima Konate and captain Virgil van Dijk with summer signing Giovanni Leoni out for the season and occasional defender Wataru Endo missing with an ankle problem.
However, Joe Gomez returned to action from the bench in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Fulham on Sunday to bolster centre-back options.
