Arne Slot speaks at his Liverpool press conference this morning
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has remained coy about whether the Reds will make a last-minute dip into the January transfer market before the window of opportunity closes on Monday.
The Premier League champions head into Saturday evening’s crucial clash with Newcastle United at Anfield two points outside the money-spinning Champions League qualification positions, with a host of clubs now scrapping over a top-four finish.
Liverpool have already seen summer target Marc Guehi join rivals Manchester City and have defensive issues of their own, with Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez all currently out of action.
But when pressed on whether he would bring in a new face or two before the transfer window slams shut, Slot said: “You promise me you’re not going to ask me post-match as well? Yeah, I think you know the answer. The answer is if we think we’ve addressed a player that can help us and think it’s possible, then we will do so.
“But those are conversations that take place, not far away from here, by the way. But not in this room.”
When pushed if that meant a transfer was looking unlikely, he added: “Why is it unlikely? Okay, that’s a smart way of asking it. I think the answer I gave. It’s up to you whether that means it’s unlikely or likely.”
Slot was also pressed on the situation regarding Harvey Elliott’s disastrous loan spell at Aston Villa. The midfielder made a long-awaited appearance for Unai Emery’s side in midweek in the Europa League.
It was only the sixth time that Elliott has played for Villa – and the first time since October – since signing on a season-long loan.
Should the England Under-21 international make 10 appearances, the Midlands club would be obliged to pay the Reds £35m.
But Villa boss Emery said last night (Thursday) that he still has no plans to sign Elliott, who could not be left in limbo again: “It is not changing. Not changing, I told you yesterday it is not changing his situation. Today, he played and very fantastic how he helped us, but it’s not changing our idea with him.”
When questioned on the situation at his press conference today (Friday), Slot simply added: “It was very pleasing to see him on the pitch. I think his situation is clear. He’s an Aston Villa player at this moment and that’s all I can say.”
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Liverpool’s forward options have been increased with the return of Mohamed Salah following international duty and the Egyptian was back on the scoresheet midweek during the 6-0 rout of Qarabag in the Champions League.
When asked whether Salah was in a good position to rediscover his best form for the Reds, Slot said: “I think it’s always about the team and the team has to make sure he gets in good positions and I think that’s what we are doing more and more. Not only with him but with many players.
“I think I’ve said this many times before. Our game in between boxes is good enough for our attackers to often be in promising positions. We know that if this happens enough times our players will do what we expect of them because they have so much quality.”
Liverpool’s results and performance in the Champions League this season have consistently been of a more impressive level than their Premier League equivalent, with the defence of their title far from going to plan.
On Saturday, Slot’s side will face another team vying for a top-four finish in Newcastle, who will know exactly how to implement a gameplan that has on many occasions this season, stopped the Reds in their tracks.
When asked why his side had not been able to replicate their Champions League form very often in the Premier League, Slot was frank in his assessment.
He said: “What has impacted our results in the Premier League is the amount of games we have played with mainly the same players.
“But in general, I think it’s safe to say that there is a lot more physicality in the Premier League compared to the Champions League. That part of the game is a lot more developed here than it is the Champions League.
“The Premier League has become more of a box game. Just ping the ball in the box. Whereas in the Champions League they play more in between the boxes..
“Every single game is crucial. But the way we have positioned ourselves now makes every game even more crucial.
“It’s always been a very tough contest (against Newcastle) but very tough for them as well. A home game at Anfield is always something to look forward to.
“Every game you win helps. It was a good win with some good performances (on Wednesday). We are fully aware that one win is not enough at this club. The next (game) is coming quick.
“We already thought that every single period was pivotal. That hasn’t changed. But the closer you come to the end, the fewer opportunities to make a mistake. We have already made too many mistakes. There’s not a lot of room for more mistakes anymore.”
