Arne Slot set to use Jurgen Klopp transfer blueprint as needs must at Liverpool

Liverpool manager Arne Slot appears set to follow in Jurgen Klopp's footsteps when it comes to the ongoing January transfer window, despite injury concerns at Anfield

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made his thoughts clear on the January transfer window(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool boss Arne Slot seems poised to emulate Jurgen Klopp's approach to the January transfer window.

The Reds made several high-profile signings over the summer, but whispers suggest more players could be heading to Anfield. Slot has been tasked with reshaping his Premier League-winning squad this season. While Hugo Ekitike hit the ground running, others like Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Jeremie Frimpong have taken a bit longer to consistently shine in a Liverpool kit.

Early hiccups have left the Reds lagging behind the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race by a considerable distance, with half the season still to play.

While some managers might be tempted to delve into the transfer market to bridge the gap, Slot appears ready to adhere to his predecessor's strategy. During his tenure at Liverpool, Klopp sparingly utilized the January transfer window.

In early 2016, just a few months after taking the reins, young prospect Marko Grujic became Klopp's first acquisition. Rather than prioritizing marquee signings, Grujic was one of several winter deals that focused on nurturing future talent.

In December 2020, Stefan Bajcetic was signed from Celta Vigo, followed by Kaide Gordon's move from Derby County a few months later, further illustrating the club's long-term vision.

Liverpool also signed Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo during Jurgen Klopp's reign(Image: Getty Images)

In both 2017 and 2019, Klopp's Liverpool opted against making any signings in the January transfer window. However, there was one exception to this rule: Virgil van Dijk, who Klopp splashed out around $100 million for in January 2018.

The current captain of Liverpool has more than lived up to his hefty price tag, guiding the club to Premier League and Champions League victories during his tenure at Anfield. The only other significant January purchases occurred toward the end of Klopp's reign.

In 2022, Liverpool pounced on an opportunity to outmanoeuvre Tottenham for Porto's Luis Diaz. The following season saw Cody Gakpo join from PSV Eindhoven. Upon taking over from Klopp in 2024, Slot did not prioritize new signings.

Jurgen Klopp broke his transfer rule for Virgil van Dijk(Image: Getty Images)

Summer recruit Federico Chiesa was the only fresh face as Slot continued his career pattern of avoiding costly January deals, having signed just three players for a fee in his previous roles before joining the Reds.

This summer, Liverpool narrowly missed out on Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi. Giovanni Leoni's long-term injury has already left the Reds short-staffed at times this season, but Slot dismissed suggestions that Liverpool would target a new defender this month.

"First of all for himself, but the injury of Giovanni Leoni is, of course, it has quite a lot of impact," Slot said. "If you have four center-backs for the season, two right and two left-backs with Wata (Wataru Endo) and Ryan (Gravenberch) who can help you out, but then you have an ACL injury, that is not very helpful. It is tough."

The Liverpool manager added: "This is our way of working at Liverpool. The outside world wants to believe we have unlimited money, but that is not true. You insiders know – and you are the only ones because the outside world only talks about our spending – what we have brought in (money) to spend. That is the way we work over here.

"You then have to accept that in certain games during a season, you are short of a right full back. But we are still able to win. I fully believe in that way of working, by the way."