Arne Slot has doubled down that it is ‘not so easy’ to find a player good enough to sign for Liverpool – but the Dutch head coach insists the club are working hard to end their record as the only Premier League club yet to make an addition this transfer window.
Slot’s team looked excellent in their three-leg pre-season tour of America – beating Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United – but fans back home have bemoaned the lack of transfer activity this summer.
The former Feyenoord boss says he and new sporting director Richard Hughes are targeting quality over quantity. Speaking to British newspaper journalists in South Carolina, Slot was bombarded with questions over transfers and unsolved contract talks.
He said: ‘I notice that you are focused a lot on new signings! I am focused on the tour, how we played, what we need to improve and what we did well. Like I said, the bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players.
‘It is not so easy to first find a player to meet those standards and then ask, “Is he available?” Then we have to find an agreement with them, so it is not always easy to find a player who can help us but Richard is working hard on it and let's see what comes from this.
Arne Slot doubled down that it is ‘not so easy’ to find a player good enough to join Liverpool
The Reds enjoyed a very successful pre-season tour of the US, winning all three of their games
But they are the only Premier League side yet to make an addition this summer and Slot insisted that sporting director Richard Hughes (above) is working hard behind the scenes
‘If he (Hughes) is not here we are on the phone many times but like I said, my main focus was working with the team and preparing them in the best possible way for the first Premier League game. Apart from that he is working on things and he keeps me updated every time.’
One role Liverpool arguably have a problem with is the No 6 position, which has been an issue for well over a year since the exits of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson. Wataru Endo joined but, judging by pre-season, is not heavily fancied by Slot and the club have fielded interest for him.
‘Ryan (Gravenberch) did really well in that position (against United) and we have other options as well. The best way to judge it is when we have all the players back and we still haven't but a club like Liverpool always keeps its eye open to see what's available.
‘For players that can strengthen the squad and that is what we - Richard mostly but me as well - are looking to do. But that is not particular to one position. We constantly evaluate the squad where we can do something and what we have.
‘We have a good platform to build from and not just because of this tour, Jurgen left this squad in a very good place, I think I said that before. Now it is up to us to keep performing like Liverpool did for so many years.’
The Reds also have big decisions to make over outgoings. Joe Gomez is weighing up his future after interest from Newcastle earlier in the window – he was offered in a double-deal that would have seen Anthony Gordon move to Anfield.
Several other fringe stars – like Fabio Carvalho, Caoimhin Kelleher, Sepp van den Berg and Tyler Morton – could be let go and the Reds would prefer permanent moves. Youngsters like Ben Doak and Bobby Clark are attracting mass interest.
Asked if he has a big decision on players potentially leaving, Slot disagreed the Reds had ‘too many’ players but said on Gomez: ‘He is one of our squad players so it is the same with Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Virgil (Van Dijk) and all the others, I need to see them.
‘And everyone has to be of high standards because they have probably seen the current players are doing well. So I hope that the eight or nine that come in on Tuesday are ready to compete with them.’
He was also quizzed on contractual issues with captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold all with just a year left on their deals. Slot is yet to speak to Scouser Alexander-Arnold about this issue.
‘We didn't speak about his commitment,’ Slot added. ‘We only spoke about the way I wanted him to play and how he could fit in that style. He was focused on the Euros at that moment we spoke and I saw some clips from people showing me that he looks really fit and sharp.
Slot was happy with Liverpool's displays, but highlighted the challenges of the transfer market
There is much uncertainty over the future of several players, including Fabio Carvalho (left)
Slot also said he 'can't wait' to see Trent Alexander-Arnold train after he returned to the club
‘I can't wait to see him train. But some others did quite well (on tour) as well so it is interesting to see if the others come back and the level goes up even more. Like I said, we conceded too many chances (against United).’
Liverpool have been without several key stars after participation in the European Championship and Copa America but most have reported back in the last 24 hours. Those on the tour were given Sunday and Monday off but the majority of the squad is set to be together finally on Tuesday.
Left back Andy Robertson, 30, did not feature on the US tour but was with the squad following an individual programme. It is understood he flew back early from the tour alongside a fitness coach who was at the training centre on Sunday.
The Reds have a double-header on Sunday when they take on Spanish side Sevilla at Anfield, followed by a behind-closed-doors friendly later that day against Tenerife-based Las Palmas.