Arne Slot was asked about the possibility of signing Marc Guehi in the January transfer window and the strength of his Liverpool squad
Arne Slot has reiterated he is “really happy” with his squad and intimated Liverpool may not move for Marc Guehi in the current transfer window. The Reds agreed a £35million deal for Guehi on deadline day in September only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug at the last minute.
Liverpool remain interested in the England international and are among a number of clubs planning a pitch to the player when his contract at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the season.
The landscape, though, has potentially changed with one of those suitors, Manchester City, having suffered an injury crisis at centre-back and Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitting on Tuesday the player could be sold this month at the right price.
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And while Slot refused to be drawn on a possible move for Guehi, the Reds boss expressed his backing for the current squad.
“I never talk about transfers in public, let alone talking about a transfer from another club,” he said on Wednesday. “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.”
Joe Gomez returned to action from the bench in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Fulham on Sunday to bolster centre-back options that had 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.
And Slot said: “Joe is back so that is already a big help. No manager would tell you they are completely happy they have only two centre-backs available.
“But you have to look at the bigger picture and we have signed an unbelievable player in Giovanni Leoni who will be back next season.
“This is the way this club works. As much as has been said about our spending last summer, it is not that there is no limitation to us spending. We have to do smart things and this club has always tried to do smart things to keep up with the teams we want to compete with. There’s no difference now.”
Slot was also again asked about the possibility of Harvey Elliott returning to Liverpool after Aston Villa boss Unai Emery admitted the Midlanders have no intention of giving the on-loan 22-year-old the number of appearances required to trigger the obligation of a £35million permanent deal.
“Liverpool have no recall option,” said the Reds head coach.
