Arne Slot may learn from his predecessor Jurgen Klopp that January transfers are not always the smartest, amid calls from Jamie Carragher to strengthen Liverpool's defence.
The Reds sit firmly at the top of the Premier League, although their lead has been reduced to four points after their midweek draw against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal's win over Tottenham. Slot has hardly traded in the transfer market, but has largely worked with the team he inherited.
Virgil van Dijk is still a big presence, but he has had to deal with new partners as Liverpool struggle with injury problems. Ibrahima Konate was out but has returned, with Joe Gomez now sidelined through injury, while Jarell Quansah still needs to convince his manager.
Carragher believes Liverpool's solid defensive base is disappearing – they have kept just one clean sheet in their past seven league games – and wants reinforcements bought. Klopp previously came into action in January when he had personnel problems, but his recruits didn't make the cut and I never lasted the course.
Carragher said on Tuesday night: “Liverpool should have won tonight but they continue to create big chances even in the games they don't win, but the defensive solidity they had at the start of the season has gone. It always looks like that that will happen.” admit it. Buy a defender!!!!”
In 2021, Klopp opted to enter the market when a large number of his defenders were sidelined. While the Reds have made some great deals in the new year, most notably Van Dijk in 2018, the majority of managers admit that mid-season deals can be difficult to make successful as teams often jack up prices.
Liverpool chose to take over Ben Davies from Preston four years ago. The centre-back had impressed at Deepdale and was bought for £1.6 million, but never made a single first-team appearance and was eventually sold to Rangers for £4 million several years later.
In the same window, the Reds landed Ozan Kabak from Schalke. The Turkish defender was loaned out but failed to secure the defense. Slot has been very measured with his side so far and despite being open for business, he is unlikely to add anything to his backline after an injury or two.
He said: “This club has always looked at the market. We have done this with the goalkeeper (Giorgi Mamardashvili) who we don't even have yet. If there is an opportunity in the market, this club always tries to get that opportunity. ” The team is in a good place.”
Indeed, the signings of Davies and Kabak suggest that January reinforcements do not always pay off. And Slot will do everything he can to avoid upsetting his side as he aims to win silverware in his first season at Anfield.
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