Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been asked about the prospect of new arrivals during the January transfer window
11:59, 16 Jan 2026Updated 14:28, 16 Jan 2026
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace(Image: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Arne Slot is adamant he is in agreement with Liverpool’s recruitment team over their January transfer strategy as he discussed the “challenges” facing his squad over the remainder of the season. Slot will be without two senior defensive options until the new campaign with Conor Bradley having sustained a serious knee injury at Arsenal last week and Giovanni Leoni out since September after ACL surgery.
British transfer record £125million striker Alexander Isak also faces months on the sidelines with the ankle and leg damage suffered at Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas
Isak formed part of a £450m spending spree in the summer although Liverpool recouped half of that total through sales.
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The injuries to the defence, however, have increased calls for the Reds to move to strengthen their squad this month, which have intensified further given Manchester City’s move for Marc Guehi, who Liverpool had agreed to sign on deadline day in September only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute.
And of the possibility of a new arrival at Anfield during the current window, Slot said: “I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we are facing. That’s not to say that we are going to act, but everyone is aligned on what we are facing.
“There’s no-one who has a different opinion about it. But that’s not to say that anything is going to happen.”
It has now been widely reported that City have agreed a £20m deal for Guehi. And Palace boss Oliver Glasner has confirmed the transfer is close as well as announcing he will be leaving the Selhurst Park club in the summer.
Liverpool entertain struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon aiming to extend an 11-game unbeaten run and strengthen their grip on fourth place.
The Reds are likely to be in a battle with Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United for the final Champions League qualification berth, and Slot said: “It’s a challenge because we play in the Premier League and the teams you are mentioning have very good teams as well.
“We haven’t put ourselves in the most ideal position, especially if you compare it to where we were after six games.
“But the reality is we are competing with these teams at this moment in time for the fourth position, because Villa is having such a great season.
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“Still a lot to play for us in the league because we all know how important that it is for any club – but definitely also for this club – to qualify for the Champions League.
“That didn’t happen two or three years ago, I think, and that had a big impact financially on the club.
“We are aware of the importance of qualification for the Champions League but that’s not only for us, that’s for a lot of teams. We are also aware of the fact that the league is probably stronger than ever.
“That is something where we have to do really well in the league and, of course, there’s the FA Cup and the Champions League to fight for as well.”
