The pressure is on Liverpool as the January transfer window ticks into its final five days.
Despite constant calls from supporters to make a defensive signing – and potentially an attacking one too – the Reds have so far remained inactive.
That stance will be tested in the coming few days after Jeremie Frimpong limped out of Wednesday’s Champions League win over Qarabag. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool could enter the market for a right-back and fans will be hoping that is the case.
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Wataru Endo pictured while playing for Liverpool during their Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/James Gill - Danehouse).
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during their UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro (Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency).
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring for Liverpool during their FA Cup match against Barnsley at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Photo Agency/Liverpool FC
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In the meantime, theories have been floating around the internet as to why Liverpool have stayed silent despite clearly needing some reinforcements.
One suggestion has been that the Liverpool owners are unwilling to back Arne Slot having decided that he will be replaced in the summer. According to reporter James Pearce, however, this could not be less true.
Liverpool are not planning for Arne Slot’s departure
Slot cut a frustrated figure in his post-match press conference following the win over Qarabag. Every time he opens his mouth the Dutchman seems to dig himself into a hole with the fanbase.
If supporters can see it, then FSG surely can too, but as Pearce writes for The Athletic, the Americans currently have no plans to get rid of their head coach.
Arne Slot looks towards the Kop ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Slot is said to ‘retain the backing’ of the Liverpool ownership, with the situation described as the 47-year-old being ‘under pressure but not on the brink.’
Furthermore, claims that Slot is not being backed because of a plan to replace him this summer is slammed as being ‘nonsensical’ by Pearce.
The Dutch boss is said to retain a ‘strong’ relationship with transfers chief Richard Hughes, and Liverpool’s lack of business is reportedly more as part of their vision to plan only for the long-term at Anfield.
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Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
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Liverpool’s ‘long-term’ plan makes little sense
Liverpool have never been ones to panic in the transfer market and the suggestion that they are not backing Slot in preparation of replacing him never made much sense at all.
Nevertheless, the strategy deserves a huge amount of scrutiny, especially in light of the Reds’ current predicament.
Obviously, Liverpool are long-term thinkers and that is the best way to be when it comes to football transfers. But there are times when you have to pivot and do something you ordinarily would not.
If Liverpool fail to sign either a centre-back or a right-back this January then they are seriously increasing their chances of not qualifying for next season’s Champions League. For a club who are run as sustainably as Liverpool, that would be a financial disaster.
By doing something short-term, they can ensure that their long-term plan stays afloat. For whatever reason, however, it seems Liverpool cannot see something so glaringly obvious to the rest of us. Short-term thinking is very much at play here, whether the Reds admit to it or not.
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