Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp share a similar approach to the January transfer window
Arne Slot
Arne Slot has made his thoughts clear on the January transfer window(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks set to continue Jurgen Klopp’s approach to the January transfer window. The Reds brought in several expensive signings over the summer but have been linked with bringing more players to Anfield halfway through the season.
Slot has been tasked with reshaping his title-winning side this term. While Hugo Ekitike was an instant hit, the likes of Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have taken longer to consistently show their best in a Liverpool shirt.
The team’s early inconsistency has left the Reds 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal, albeit with a game in hand. While some managers could be tempted to turn to the transfer market to make up the deficit, Slot looks likely to emulate his predecessor’s rule.
During his lengthy tenure at Liverpool, Klopp used the January transfer window sparingly. In early 2016, just a few months after the manager had taken charge, youngster Marko Grujic became Klopp’s first signing.
Rather than prioritising marquee names, Grujic was one of several winter deals that focused on building for the future. In December 2020, Stefan Bajcetic arrived from Celta Vigo, followed by Kaide Gordon’s move from Derby County a few months later, as further proof of the club’s long-term strategy.
In both 2017 and 2019, Klopp’s Liverpool opted against making any signings in January. However, there is an exception to every rule and Virgil van Dijk proved to be that for Klopp, who splashed out £75million on the defender in January 2018.
Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk
Jurgen Klopp broke his transfer rule for Virgil van Dijk
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The current Liverpool captain has more than repaid his price tag, having helped guide the club to Premier League and Champions League glory during his time at Anfield. The only other notable January signings came towards the end of Klopp’s reign.
In 2022, Liverpool spotted an opportunity to scupper Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Luis Diaz, signing the Porto winger for £49m. The following season, Cody Gakpo arrived from PSV Eindhoven for around £40m. However, it can be argued that both these deals represented clear value for money, despite the fees involved.
Taking over from Klopp in 2024, Slot did not focus on bringing in new players. Summer signing Federico Chiesa was the club’s sole new arrival as Slot stuck to his career pattern of not seeking out expensive deals in January, having only signed three players for a fee in his previous roles before joining the Reds.
Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz
Liverpool also signed Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo during Jurgen Klopp's reign
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This summer, Liverpool narrowly missed out on signing Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi. Giovanni Leoni’s subsequent long-term injury has already left the Reds short of options at times this season, but Slot played down 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 centre 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 boss 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."