Arne Slot admits Liverpool ‘worry’ ahead of transfer window as potential moves discussed

Arne Slot admits that going into December with only five fit defenders is not ideal for Liverpool.

The Reds boss refused to rule out any move for new signings in January, but insists the club will only move on players if the right targets become available. Liverpool sit top of the Premier League with a nine-point lead over their nearest challengers after opening an 11-point lead over champions Manchester City with a 2-0 win on Sunday.

But the Reds will be without three defenders for the next month with Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas sidelined. That leaves them without cover at full-back behind Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, with Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah competing for the spot alongside Virgil van Dijk.

They will play nine games over the next month, starting with Wednesday's trip to Newcastle. Slot said: “It is a concern to have only five defenders for the next nine games, but that also happens at other clubs.”

Not only are Liverpool top of the Premier League, they are also doing well in the Champions League as they lead the table in the new competition format. With so many possibilities for the second half of the season and defensive injuries, Slot was asked to take actions to strengthen their team in the January period.

“We have discussions every day, regardless of whether an opportunity comes or not,” Slot said about his conversations with sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO Michael Edwards. “We always talk about the team, which players we like, which players might not be in the best position. Fortunately, we talk more about the ones that are doing well, because most of them are doing very well.

“It's a bit worrying that three defenders are out, but the good thing is that when the window is open, the defenders are back. I often said at the start of the season: I am so happy with the team we have.

“That doesn't mean there will be an opportunity in the market; this club has always shown that they will go for it. That's what happened with the goalkeeper, who isn't even with us yet. We felt like this was an opportunity for us to do it.

“That's what this club is known for, what people like Richard and Michael Edwards are known for. “We are mainly focused on Newcastle and then Everton and all the nine games coming up, but it is normal that we have conversations about the squad, what we can change, yes or no, what can happen in the market.”