Arne Slot has come under fire for how he has dealt with Liverpool’s new recruits this season after the Reds parted with a whopping £446million in the summer
Liverpool enjoyed an unprecedented summer transfer window but one January plan could be scuppered. Arne Slot has been given lots of ammunition to work with this Premier League season.
After lifting the league title in what was Slot’s debut campaign, Liverpool did not rest on their laurels where the transfer window was concerned. They were on track to shatter the British transfer record when Florian Wirtz arrived for a deal that could reach £116million.
But this was soon surpassed when Alexander Isak arrived on deadline day for £125m. Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni also touched down for hefty sums as part of a record-breaking £446m window.
When January rolls around, the Reds could look to bolster certain areas of this squad but Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford could have spoiled an approach for a new wide player. Mirror Football brings you the latest updates from Anfield, including a rumoured agreement for a defender and an icon taking a swipe at Slot.
Marcus Rashford upsets Liverpool plan
Lyon star Malick Fofana has reportedly been of interest to Liverpool in the past. But a January move for the 20-year-old winger could rely on England ace Rashford.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp shows true colours with Pep Guardiola message ahead of milestoneREAD MORE: Liverpool face anxious Ibrahima Konate wait as new club make contact over transfer
Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona and though he starts regularly, some within the club seem not entirely convinced. Barcelona are therefore monitoring some young talents they could recruit if they do not exercise the 28-year-old’s £26m purchase option.
Spanish outlet Sport report that Fofana is one of those who the Catalan side have on their radar. He would cost a reported £51.5m if he were to leave Lyon.
In July, the Reds saw themselves linked with a move for the youngster, with speculation suggesting that both Chelsea and Arsenal also hold him in high regard.
Ibrahima Konate agreement rumoured
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate has been at the centre of some contract speculation this term as his current deal on Merseyside expires in June 2026.
In January, he would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with another European side and there have been few suggestions of him penning a new contract with Liverpool.
Real Madrid have been the rumoured destination for the France international and reports from Spain have addressed speculation that an agreement has been reached. AS claim that Liverpool have given up on trying to re-sign Konate to a new deal.
But they also state that any rumours about an agreement with Los Blancos are just that and at the moment, the club are simply keeping an eye on Konate and think the situation is positive.
Jamie Carragher critiques Arne Slot approach
Much has been made of Liverpool’s summer activity but one former player thinks that recruits have been handed starring roles too soon. Jamie Carragher took aim at Slot for how he has utilised his new signings.
“Looking at Liverpool in these last couple of weeks, there may be one valid criticism with hindsight would be about the manager,” Carragher told talkSPORT.
“Maybe he blooded too many of the signings too early and it didn’t really help them as such. Maybe, even when you look back at what Jurgen Klopp did, especially with Andy Robertson initially.
“Andy Robertson didn’t actually play too much when he first signed, and he was sort of going to the Liverpool team around November, December. Maybe that would be the case with a few of the new signings as well, going forward.”
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