Liverpool information: Arne Slot branded ‘sucker’ over switch as Richard Hughes makes emotions clear
Liverpool ended deadline day by splashing £60million on Jeremy Jacquet but the 20-year-old defender won’t arrive on Merseyside until the summer – and his signing has been heavily scrutinised
Arne Slot has been branded a ‘sucker’ after Jeremy Jacquet’s signing(Image: PA)
Liverpool conducted minimal business during the winter transfer window as they strive to salvage their Premier League campaign. Rennes centre-back Jeremy Jacquet was secured in a £55million agreement – with an additional £5m in potential bonuses – though he won’t arrive at Anfield until the summer.
Arne Slot presided over a relatively subdued window in January following an enormous £450m summer outlay on players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez. Jacquet’s acquisition in January was accompanied by Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya and Ifeanyi Ndukwe, all recruited to strengthen the youth setup.
Focus now turns to the second half of the 2025/26 campaign, with the FA Cup and Champions League still within reach on the red half of Merseyside. Here, the Daily Star Sport examines the latest developments emerging from Anfield.
Club chief makes transfer vow
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Sporting director Richard Hughes has outlined his strong relationship with Slot and confirmed the club’s unwavering support for the Dutchman. Hughes acknowledged that Liverpool cannot always deliver the signings the manager desires, but maintains it remains an effective partnership under challenging circumstances.
In the latest episode of The Reds Roundtable, alongside Arne Slot and CEO Billy Hogan, Hughes stated: “Fundamentally, there’s the understanding for both parties and everyone at wide, that everything involving matchday, team selection, tactics, that’s always the manager or head coach. That’s their domain. It’s very important not to step into that.
“Of course we talk about football and performances but I always let Arne lead that. Naturally in a conversation I will come up with an opinion and not just react to Arne’s, but always waiting for the right time to share these things is critical.
“Did it help that we came in together at the same point? Possibly. But it’s more important that we had synergy right from the first moment. Understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work, trying your best and it’s not always possible to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools they require, and that’s what I feel my job is then.”
Hughes remains confident that Liverpool’s summer recruits will prove their worth given some time to settle in. This optimism has been somewhat validated recently, with Ekitike and Wirtz starting to show promising form on the pitch.
He continued: “You want to be there to support them and not suffocate them with it, let them find their own feet. All these players are here for a very good reason, they are top players. Everybody has played their part in getting them to the club and we were all very happy with what we did in the summer, not just me.
“Whether they are good, bad or indifferent in terms of signings, there’s no proprietary felt in my position, it’s a collective effort that helps these boys translate their form for which they have been brought to the club and be the best version of themselves.
“As long as the players are the right ones in the first place, and we are absolutely convinced every time we bring someone in that they are, then the performances on the pitch will quickly follow.”
World Cup winner brands Liverpool ‘suckers’
Christophe Dugarry branded Slot and his Liverpool bosses as “suckers” for splashing up to £60m on Jacquet from Rennes. Despite clocking up fewer than 60 senior appearances, the Merseysiders forked out the hefty fee to make the 20-year-old their second most expensive defender ever, trailing only Virgil van Dijk.
On RMC’s ‘Rothen s’enflamme’ radio programme, World Cup champion Dugarry tore into Liverpool’s move, declaring: “This isn’t meant to offend the player, honestly, he’s not to blame at all, and we wish him all the best because he’s a good player.
“But when you have suckers like that… well done to Rennes. Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool that was [willing to pay] €70million (£60m).”
The Frenchman continued: “Let them continue, all these English clubs, sending tens of millions of euros. This isn’t just a two-tiered football situation anymore, it’s a football that’s lost its mind. Let’s stop trying to pretend there’s a justification for it. There’s no justification whatsoever.”
Dugarry argued that Slot’s choice to splash out such enormous sums on Jacquet will heap tremendous expectations on the young defender’s shoulders from the moment he walks through the door.
“Poor Jacquet, this transfer is going to put a lot of pressure on him,” he continued. “Even him, the poor kid, who is certainly a very good player, is going to arrive with so much pressure.
“His performances will be viewed differently, even though he doesn’t deserve it. Those of us who know football, let’s not try to justify this amount by saying it’s because Liverpool has money or whatever. It’s meaningless!”.
