View 3 ImagesArne Slot has discussed Liverpool’s transfer plans
Liverpool are already looking towards the January transfer window as they bid to get their season back on track. The reigning champions have struggled this term despite making a significant outlay in the summer transfer window.
Their form had even led Reds boss Arne Slotto shelve any talk of a title challenge. This summer the Reds spent almost £450million.
The club broke their transfer record twice: first on Florian Wirtz and later on Alexander Isak. Their spending also included £79m on Hugo Ekitike, £40m on Milos Kerkez, £29.5m on Jeremie Frimpong and £26m on Giovanni Leoni.
However, they could be forced to dip back into the market once again. Slot has now given an update over the club’s transfer plans while Harvey Elliott’s future on loan at Aston Villa has been clarified.
Slot outlines January plans
Slot has played down the need for Liverpool to recruit a new centre-back in January. The Dutchman has instead hinted that the Reds will prioritise other positions of the team.
The Reds saw a £35m move for Marc Guehi collapse on transfer deadline day and are currently down to three available senior centre-backs after Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.
Ibrahima Konate also continues to be the subject of scrutiny his Anfield future also the subject of speculation ahead of his contract expiring next summer.
View 3 ImagesMarc Guehi saw his switch to Liverpool collapse late on in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
Slot has insisted the Reds’ mid-season transfer plans are not his focus. He hinted that Liverpool are instead considering adding to their ranks in other positions amid ongoing speculation linking the reigning champions with a January swoop for Antoine Semenyo.
“This is one of the questions I didn’t expect, talking about signings and the winter break,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reds’ clash with Nottingham Forest. “I think there are so many games to play before that.
“And the position we are in, it is the last thing that is on my mind. Maybe not on Richard (Hughes)’s, but it is the last thing on my mind. It is not a topic for me at the moment.
“We have at this moment in time three centre-backs, with Joe Gomez included of course. And maybe Ryan (Gravenberch) and Wata (Endo) who can play in the positions. Maybe you are not aware of it yet but we have other positions, at the moment, which is a bit more of an issue.”
Elliott’s Villa stay addressed
Villa boss Unai Emery has explained there are several factors behind Harvey Elliott’s limited game time at Aston Villa. Elliott arrived at Villa Park on an initial loan deal on deadline day but the attacking midfielder has featured in just five matches for the club so far.
Under the terms of the deal, Villa will have to pay Liverpool £35m to make the transfer permanent if the 22-year-old makes another five appearances.
Emery has previously said he considers Elliott’s strongest position to be as a No. 10. However, he highlighted the abundance of options in that area as the primary reason for his restricted playing time.
View 3 ImagesHarvey Elliott has struggled for minutes at Aston Villa(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Quizzed on whether Emi Buendia’s impressive displays have been an integral reason for Elliott’s limited opportunities, Emery said: “It is everything, because the adaptation is something that some players need more than others.
“But the team is going forward and being very demanding to achieve individual and collective performance, also the consistency we need. Some players, they need more time, or we can speak about how he struggled last year, Buendia, to achieve what he is doing this season.
“Harvey Elliott, he is working very well. He is working consistently. He is a good guy and his commitment to Aston Villa is fantastic.”