Fulham 2-2 Liverpool: Match Review
The Liverpool boss discussed his current centre-back options and whether the Reds will make a new approach for Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.
Arne Slot refused to comment on whether Liverpool will make a new approach to sign Marc Guehi in the January transfer window.
Guehi’s Palace contract expires at the end of the season and it has been confirmed that he will not sign a new deal. Rather than risk losing him on a free transfer, the FA Cup holders could look to cash in on the England international this month. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has admitted that the club would accept an offer if it surpasses their price tag, with Manchester City said to be weighing up a move amid an injury crisis.
After the collapse of Guehi’s move to Liverpool, head coach Slot admitted it was a ‘pity’ the deal did not get over the line. But the Anfield supremo would not be drawn on whether the Reds will once again try to sign the former Chelsea man.
What’s been said
Speaking ahead of the trip to Premier League leaders Arsenal, Slot said: "I don't talk about transfers in public, let alone talk about players from another club. There's no use asking me that question because we don't talk about players that aren't ours."
Central defence is an area of the squad that Liverpool are slightly short. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have started every league game so far, with Joe Gomez providing back-up. Gomez has recently returned from a muscle injury.
Centre-back options assessed
And while Leoni is ruled out for the next five months, Slot believes it does not require a knee-jerk reaction this month. He added: "Joe is back so that is already a big help. No manager would tell you they are completely happy they have only two centre-backs available. 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 centre-backs available, but sometimes things work out in the way it can happen now and you have to accept that situation.
"Jurgen had a few problems at centre-back and he played there who were either midfielders and players who... what was his name?Nat Phillips. He played a lot. So that has been Liverpool for all these years and that has not changed.”
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