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Arne Slot has implied Liverpool will not look to make additions to its squad in the January transfer window despite the disappointing news that Giovanni Leoni will not feature again this season.
The defender suffered an ACL tear on his Liverpool debut on Tuesday, with Slot revealing ahead of this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace that he does not expect to see Leoni back in the team for another year.
That leaves the Reds with just three recognized center-backs for the remainder of the campaign, although Slot has repeatedly emphasized that Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch can fill in at the heart of defense.
That said, Slot was willing to add a fifth center-back to his ranks over the summer, before Marc Guehi’s deadline-day deal to Anfield was scuppered.
With the Palace captain expected to move on for free next summer, Leoni’s injury has led many to speculate that Liverpool could return with a January bid for Guehi, a deal that could suit all parties and allow the Eagles to cash in on the player.
But speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park, where Guehi will line up against the club he so nearly signed for, Slot said he currently has no plans to increase the size of his squad.
Asked whether Leoni’s injury could force a rethink of Liverpool’s transfer plans, Slot replied: “That all depends on whether we get more injuries, yes or no, and if there's a chance in the market - all the answers I always give.
“But I would not prefer to go to 24/25 players. Also, if it is ever a situation where I lead a team that has four or five injuries throughout the whole season, it might be a bit smarter to go to 24/25, but recent history showed that [we have a good record] until now.
“We don't have five or six injuries at the same time throughout the whole season. If that would be the situation, then we would end up with 15/16 players and that would normally be difficult.
“So it's a choice I like to make but I think it is also a financial choice that we as a club have to make. If we want to keep these top players, we cannot have 24/25 of them.”
Slot comments are underlined by the fact that he could not find a spot for Leoni, Trey Nyoni, Federico Chiesa, and Jayden Danns in last Saturday’s matchday squad against Everton.
“I know a lot is being said about our squad but if people would start to look at it in the way they should, you'd say we've got 20/21 players where some other teams we are in competition with are on 24/25/26.
“But that's the choice we make because I believe that every player needs to have perspective of development or playing time. If I have to disappoint four or five players, I believe that is not the right energy that you want to have in the building.
“On the other hand, that means if you get one injury, you don't have two replacements anymore, so you don't have two players for every position anymore.
“That's then the risk you take but that's also why we try to bring in versatile players like Florian Wirtz who can play left, can play as a 10, can play as an eight; Dominik Szoboszlai can play every position, I think.
“That is the way we do it and it is also why we can maybe spend a bit more on one player instead of bringing three in, and that is maybe the difference between the clubs.”
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