Arne Slot teases Liverpool January transfer and confirms Alisson injury return date

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has refused to rule out making signings in the upcoming January transfer window.

After only adding Federico Chiesa to the squad last summer, who has been restricted to a mere three appearances due to injury and hasn’t featured since September, Slot remains open to discussions about potential transfers.

Liverpool’s squad has been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, with Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate sidelined alongside Chiesa.

Slot anticipates that many of his injured players will return before the transfer window but acknowledges that this doesn’t stop Liverpool from exploring their options behind the scenes.

While expressing satisfaction with his current squad, which has delivered an outstanding start to the season, topping both the Premier League and Champions League tables, Slot also hinted at readiness to seize any arising opportunities in the market.

He cited the £30m summer acquisition of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, with the goalkeeper set to join next summer, as an example of the club’s proactive approach.

“We are having discussions every day, no matter if there is a window coming up or not,” Slot stated, ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle United on Wednesday.

“We always talk about the team, which players we like, which players are maybe not in the best place. Fortunately we talk more about the ones that do well because almost all of them do really well.

“Yeah, it’s a bit of a worry that three defenders are out at the moment. But the good thing is if the window is open, the defenders are back.

“I’ve said many times at the beginning of the season, I’m so, so happy with the squad we have. That’s not to say if there will be a chance in the market, this club has always shown that it will go for it.

“That’s what we also did with the goalkeeper who is not with us at the moment. We felt it was a chance for us to do it. This is what the club is known for and what these people like Richard (Hughes) and Michael Edwards are known for.

“We are mainly focused now on Newcastle and Everton and all these nine games that are coming up. But it’s normal we also have conversations about our squad and what can we expect. Can something change? Yes or no? What are the chances in the market?”

Slot also gave an update on the fitness of keeper Alisson Becker, hinting that he is nearing a return to action. Slot revealed that Alisson should be back in goal by the end of December.

Despite impressive performances from Caoimhin Kelleher in Alisson’s absence, Slot reiterated that Alisson remains his first choice. “I feel I always have a big decision to make in every line-up I make. It’s always big decisions you have to make as manager of Liverpool because we have so many quality players,” he said.

“I think I was clear about our position in the goalkeepers a few weeks ago, but we are just waiting for the moment Alisson is completely fit because Kelleher is doing too well to put Alisson in goal if he is only 50 per cent.

“He is getting there, it might take a few more days but he’s getting closer and closer. He will be in goal before the end of December.”