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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has addressed questions about the club’s transfer activity and provided an injury update on Ibrahima Konate after Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal.
The Premier League champions secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over last season’s runners-up. Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 83rd-minute free-kick decided a largely cagey contest at Anfield, though Liverpool deserved the win.
The only setback for the Reds, who remain the sole team with a perfect record this season, came when Ibrahima Konaté was forced off injured in the second half. The center-back had produced a commanding performance up to that point, successfully stifling Arsenal’s attacking threats.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Slot said: "It's not a way of asking it. I could only not take one player into the game so I had to leave one out and that was a centre back. I think we were quite well in terms of centre backs. I think it was only cramp so I don't think it was an injury. We have to find out in the upcoming games."
During his post-match press conference:, Slot added “He thinks it’s cramp. I have no reason to doubt him although sometimes players talk about scan, we make a scan and it’s more than that.
"Jeremie Frimpong wasn’t too happy, like some pundits and journalists, when I took him out against Bournemouth because he thought he only felt a little bit but has already been out for 2-3 weeks now.
“So let’s wait and see. On a positive note, Joe Gomez, what a 15 minutes. I had to make one difficult choice today because I had to leave one player out of the squad with only Jeremie Frimpong being injured and I only have to make one difficult decision who I cannot take in the squad and the good thing was it is a center-back, Giovanni Leoni so we are perfectly placed in that position.”
Slot was asked whether Konate’s injury would accelerate the need for another center-back. Liverpool is pursuing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi ahead of the summer transfer window closing tomorrow.
The Reds had a $47 million bid for Guehi rejected on Saturday, with Palace holding firm for $47 million upfront plus an additional $7 million in performance-related add-ons. Given Guehi’s stance, Palace’s willingness to sell, and Liverpool’s long-standing interest, it would come as a surprise in both London and Merseyside if a deal is not completed before Monday’s deadline.
Meanwhile, talks regarding Alexander Isak have yet to progress. Despite reports on Saturday suggesting that Liverpool and Newcastle United were close to agreeing a transfer fee, sources have told Liverpool.com that there has been no movement in Isak’s situation.
Reports of a potential breakthrough reportedly frustrated Anfield officials, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the striker’s potential move.
On how busy he expects deadline day to be, Slot added: "Quite busy because I have to take a flight at two o'clock! On a serious note, let's wait and see. I haven't spoken to [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] yet.
"I don't think it's a surprise we are trying to see if we can strengthen the squad but if that isn't possible we are more than happy to do that with this team."
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