Liverpool are in desperate need of signings this January transfer window as Arne Slot battles an injury crisis and deals with an unbalanced squad
Only days are left in the transfer window and Liverpool have yet to make their mark but the Reds are stretched thin.
They witnessed their defence take another blow when Jeremie Frimpong was sidelined through injury in the 6-0 win over Qarabag FK in the Champions League. Arne Slot remains calm and has emphasised the club don’t react hastily to every fresh problem, instead operating with a strategic long-term vision.
The Dutchman hinted immediate additions weren’t on the cards, but didn’t dismiss potential activity. With that in mind and the reigning Premier League champions set to welcome Newcastle on Saturday night as they look to salvage their season by securing a place in the top four, here’s all the latest news from Anfield.
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Slot speaks on transfers
Slot outlined Liverpool’s intentions in a press conference, reports the Mirror. He said “We as a club always make decisions that we, at least, think [are] smart decisions.
“”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 are there 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.”
Liverpool want signing ‘now’
Liverpool are facing fierce competition in their pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes.
The 20-year-old is highly sought after, with Chelsea reportedly at the front of the queue and Bayern Munich also showing interest in the young French talent.
However, it might be Rennes themselves who present the biggest obstacle. Both Chelsea and Liverpool are eager to secure the player’s signature ‘now’, according to reports, but the Ligue 1 outfit would rather wait until summer for any deal.
Departure confirmed
Reading have snapped up young midfielder Scofield Lonmeni from Liverpool.
The 18-year-old has penned his first professional contract with the Royals, having turned out for the Reds’ under-18s last season as a deep-lying midfielder.
Lonmeni has joined Reading on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed sum. The youngster will initially link up with the League One club’s youth setup.
The former Liverpool academy prospect had previously spent time with Reading on a work experience arrangement, appearing regularly as Reading advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
Liverpool got it ‘terribly wrong’
Ex-Arsenal legend Paul Merson reckons Liverpool botched their summer transfer activity.
The Reds made two record signings and splashed out more than £400million before the campaign but it hasn’t delivered the goods yet.
“With all the money Liverpool have spent, the squad looks wafer-thin,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Looking at it now, they got it horribly wrong in the summer.
“By going bang, bang with a load of attackers and thinking they were going to dominate English football for the next four or five years, it’s backfired.”