Arne Slot says Liverpool is expecting a quiet end to the January transfer window, with the Reds taking a bigger-picture approach in the market — and a major Champions League risk
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot after his side beat Qarabag in the Champions League.(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)
With a total of five injuries, Liverpool shouldn’t feel like it is in a crisis when it comes to the number of players it has available. However, with no senior right-backs and a patchwork defense, it is hard to say anything other than that.
Nonetheless, Joe Gomez, though he will miss out this weekend when the Reds take on Newcastle United, should be back soon. Ibrahima Konate returned to training on Friday and will take part in Saturday’s game. While Inter Milan might be keen on Curtis Jones, Liverpool has no intention of losing players before Monday’s deadline.
Though Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are out injured at the moment, that won’t remain the case forever. And as a result, signing a player to play in their position would be short-term thinking.
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Of course, it goes without saying that not bringing anyone in this winter brings with it the risk that Liverpool could fail to qualify for the Champions League. Not doing so, though, is a strategic choice.
If Liverpool were to sign a player before the deadline, it would have to be someone who would work for the next six years, and not just the next six months.
There is a very good reason for that. While Liverpool could leave itself short of options before the campaign is out, with a place in the top four or five spots far from guaranteed, it is choosing to focus on the bigger picture.
Arne Slot emerges for a Liverpool training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer – Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
If the Reds spent money on a center-back who is available this month but isn’t necessarily the perfect fit beyond this season, that would make things harder in the future.
Liverpool would have an extra body in a position, and selling players is not always straightforward. Trading, as the Chelsea ‘bomb squad’ shows, is considerably more difficult than Football Manager might have you believe.
There is also the financial factor. Signing someone now would cost money, and that will eat into the budget that Liverpool has available when someone it really wants becomes attainable.
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Remember the summer in which Liverpool splashed $600M on new players?
That was only possible because it hadn’t already spent that money in the two transfer windows.
There is, clearly, a balance to be struck. If Liverpool gets one or two more injuries, Arne Slot’s men will be even more up against it when it comes to the Champions League chase. Losing out on that competition would be a hammer blow.
Undoubtedly, Liverpool is taking a risk by not adding more depth to its roster. Going against its long-term transfer plan, though, would create a problem of its own.