Arne Slot has defended Liverpool’s lack of movement over the summer.
The Dutchman waxed lyrical about his side’s 5-1 Carabao Cup triumph against West Ham, hinting the Reds massive win is why they stayed quiet in the summer transfer window.
Kicking off their Carabao Cup defence with a bang at Anfield, Liverpool stormed to victory despite a nine-man switch-up by Slot. A messy own goal from Jarell Quansah initially had the Hammers leading, but Diogo Jota nodded one home off Federico Chiesa’s effort to level.
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Jota notched again with a cool finish from a Curtis Jones assist, setting it up for sub Mohamed Salah, who rifled in a third. Cody Gakpo turned on the style, bagging a brace after Edson Alvarez saw red for a dodgy challenge on Salah – who then notched.
Regardless of heavy squad changes something Slot gleefully pointed out post-game, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Getty Images)
“You asked me about new players [all summer], and I constantly told you guys how many quality players we already have,” he bragged after the match. “I think you all knew. Even if a lot of new players come in, they don’t come in and try to have a good individual performance they work really hard for the team.”
Chiesa, who was snapped up for a cool £12.5million in the dying moments of the transfer window, emerged as Liverpool’s solitary summer signing. The Italian ace got his first taste of action this season against West Ham, clocking 60 minutes before Mo Salah took over on the pitch.
“It was pleasing to see that he could already play 60 minutes, because he hasn’t played a lot,” Slot remarked.
“He has hardly played any minutes in the last three or four months. So for him it is important to get more match minutes, and that’s what he got today.”