Arne Slot dismisses Liverpool transfer 'narrative' as he hints at January plans

The Liverpool head coach spoke to the media ahead of the Premier League encounter at the Emirates and was asked about his current squad depth and center-back options

Arne Slot said he is happy with the squad at his disposal, hinting he does not plan to make January additions(Image: Getty Images)

Arne Slot implied he does not plan to make any major additions to his Liverpool squad in January and said, although injuries have impacted his selection options this season, he is pleased with the group at his disposal.

The Reds invested heavily in the summer, parting with around £450 million ($608M) on new recruits, although that was partly offset with a number of significant outings such as Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher.

But at times this season, the squad has looked threadbare, and Slot recently bemoaned the number of players with Premier League experience that he could call upon from the bench. Despite that, Slot said he believes the team is in a "very good place".

"I am really happy with the squad we have," said the Dutchman on Wednesday ahead of the Premier League encounter against Arsenal. “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.

"There is 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.

Slot said he is pleased with Liverpool's squad make-up(Image: James Gill - Danehouse, Getty Images)

"The last game and the games before, I could impact the game from the bench because Jeremie Frimpong came in and gave an assist and the players that are starting are incredible football players.

"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."

The one area Liverpool looks particularly fragile in is center-back, especially given Giovanni Leoni’s long-term injury. With Joe Gomez missing three matches over the festive period, it reduced Liverpool to just two first-team options at the heart of defense, and Slot was asked specifically about that position in Wednesday’s press conference.

"Joe is back, so that is already a big help. No manager would tell you they are completely happy they have only two center-backs available," he explained.

Joe Gomez's return has helped with defensive options(Image: Getty Images)

"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. But in an ideal world, you'd have more than two center-backs available, but sometimes things work out in the way it can happen now and you have to accept that situation.

"Jurgen [Klopp] had a few problems at center-back and he played there who were either midfielders and players who... [Nat Phillips], he played a lot. So that has been Liverpool for all these years and that has not changed."