Liverpool manager Arne Slot casts doubt over signing centre-back in January – ‘We have other positions that are maybe more of an issue’
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is not thinking about where his squad needs strengthening in January, but has hinted that solutions to his team’s defensive problems may lie within, suggesting that they will prioritise other areas in the next transfer window rather than add to his centre-back options. Liverpool were heavily linked with signing England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in the summer.
Liverpool have lost five of their opening 11 Premier League games, but manager Arne Slot has cast doubts over whether the club will strengthen their centre-back options during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Reds finished 10 points ahead of their nearest challenger last season as Slot lifted the Premier League trophy in his first year in charge, but the defence of their title has been disastrous thus far, with the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City before the international break leaving them eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool spent just under £450 million last summer as Slot focused on adding firepower to his squad, but the club’s failure to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi on deadline day is now looking costly.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has stressed that Slot must bring in a new centre-back in January, but speaking ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday, the Dutchman has revealed that it is low down his priority list compared to other positions.
When asked about potential January transfer window additions, Slot told a press conference on Friday: “This is one of the questions I didn’t expect. There are so many games before that.
“In the position that we are in, it’s the last thing on my mind. Maybe not for Richard [Hughes, sporting director], but it’s not a topic at all for me at the moment.
“We have three centre-backs, maybe Ryan [Gravenberch] and Wata [Endo] as well. Maybe you are not aware of it yet, but we have other positions that are maybe more of an issue.”
When pressed on the issues his side has faced, Slot added: “Variation of form is not only with the new signings, it is also with the players we had.
“In a season, they are not always in the same form. But the biggest issue we have faced until now – and are still facing – is the match fitness of the players and the time they have missed in pre-season.
“Alex [Isak] now we were hoping he would play a bit more for Sweden, but unfortunately, he was one yellow away from being suspended, so for obvious reasons, they didn’t play him the second time.
“For us, it would have been better if he had played more minutes.
“Conor [Bradley] and Florian [Wirtz] are out, Jeremie [Frimpong] is already out, Giovanni Leoni as well, so at the moment we have five natural defenders available for seven games in 21 days and I don’t see anyone coming back before that.
“We knew it was hard when you bring players in a little bit later, it’s harder to keep them fit and there is more emphasis on the ones who are fit.”
Slot: We aren’t thinking about title
England international Guehi is a free agent next summer. The player will have no shortage of suitors, meaning Liverpool’s ongoing defensive problems could force Slot’s hand in January – when Palace could still command a fee.
Slot refused to be drawn on whether there had been progress on contract talks concerning Ibrahima Konate, who said during the international break that a decision on his future was imminent.
Instead, the Liverpool boss focused on building momentum on the pitch without wanting to be drawn into any title talk.
“I’ve said many times, at this moment in time, we are not thinking or talking about it,” he added.
“Same last season when we were top of the league, it is just about the next game.
“The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The next best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. Let’s see where we are then. For now, the only focus we have is on winning games of football.”
Liverpool have conceded the first goal in eight games since the end of September, and so Slot is aware of the importance of making a positive start against Forest on Saturday – and indeed when they host PSV in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
“I am aware we mostly go 1-0 down than 1-0 up. I cannot give you an explanation for that at this moment. It does have an impact on a game.
“I’ve said many times City deserve the lead in the first half, but it does make a big difference if you go 1-1 at half-time when a goal is not unreasonably disallowed.
“Goals have a lot of impact on games.”
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Video credit: SNTV
Liverpool have lost five of their opening 11 Premier League games, but manager Arne Slot has cast doubts over whether the club will strengthen their centre-back options during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Reds finished 10 points ahead of their nearest challenger last season as Slot lifted the Premier League trophy in his first year in charge, but the defence of their title has been disastrous thus far, with the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City before the international break leaving them eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool spent just under £450 million last summer as Slot focused on adding firepower to his squad, but the club’s failure to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi on deadline day is now looking costly.
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:focal(171x95:173x93)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/21/image-9d49f5a4-1c66-426c-9202-7cab3e84ff4d-68-310-310.jpeg)
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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has stressed that Slot must bring in a new centre-back in January, but speaking ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday, the Dutchman has revealed that it is low down his priority list compared to other positions.
When asked about potential January transfer window additions, Slot told a press conference on Friday: “This is one of the questions I didn’t expect. There are so many games before that.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/12/image-c74717ce-cc4b-41fa-9a7c-9c961f2b0a34-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘He has to take accountability’ – The Breakdown debate Slot’s options amid Liverpool’s poor form
Video credit: TNT Sports
“In the position that we are in, it’s the last thing on my mind. Maybe not for Richard [Hughes, sporting director], but it’s not a topic at all for me at the moment.
“We have three centre-backs, maybe Ryan [Gravenberch] and Wata [Endo] as well. Maybe you are not aware of it yet, but we have other positions that are maybe more of an issue.”
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When pressed on the issues his side has faced, Slot added: “Variation of form is not only with the new signings, it is also with the players we had.
“In a season, they are not always in the same form. But the biggest issue we have faced until now – and are still facing – is the match fitness of the players and the time they have missed in pre-season.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/23/image-73023658-a713-43da-8c00-c4bdb6e870ba-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
‘This is all good’ – Guehi offers positivity after difficult night for Palace
Video credit: TNT Sports
“Alex [Isak] now we were hoping he would play a bit more for Sweden, but unfortunately, he was one yellow away from being suspended, so for obvious reasons, they didn’t play him the second time.
“For us, it would have been better if he had played more minutes.
“Conor [Bradley] and Florian [Wirtz] are out, Jeremie [Frimpong] is already out, Giovanni Leoni as well, so at the moment we have five natural defenders available for seven games in 21 days and I don’t see anyone coming back before that.
“We knew it was hard when you bring players in a little bit later, it’s harder to keep them fit and there is more emphasis on the ones who are fit.”
Slot: We aren’t thinking about title
England international Guehi is a free agent next summer. The player will have no shortage of suitors, meaning Liverpool’s ongoing defensive problems could force Slot’s hand in January – when Palace could still command a fee.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/21/image-91287160-2519-4d70-8ed6-9fb6ace8cef6-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Arne Slot has found it tough in his second season
Image credit: Getty Images
Slot refused to be drawn on whether there had been progress on contract talks concerning Ibrahima Konate, who said during the international break that a decision on his future was imminent.
Instead, the Liverpool boss focused on building momentum on the pitch without wanting to be drawn into any title talk.
“I’ve said many times, at this moment in time, we are not thinking or talking about it,” he added.
“Same last season when we were top of the league, it is just about the next game.
“The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The next best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. Let’s see where we are then. For now, the only focus we have is on winning games of football.”
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Liverpool have conceded the first goal in eight games since the end of September, and so Slot is aware of the importance of making a positive start against Forest on Saturday – and indeed when they host PSV in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
“I am aware we mostly go 1-0 down than 1-0 up. I cannot give you an explanation for that at this moment. It does have an impact on a game.
“I’ve said many times City deserve the lead in the first half, but it does make a big difference if you go 1-1 at half-time when a goal is not unreasonably disallowed.
“Goals have a lot of impact on games.”
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