Liverpool head coach Arne Slott admitted the membership had come near strengthening their protection on the finish of the January switch window, however a possible transfer fell by means of.
The Reds, who’ve been severely strained on the again this season, appeared to signal Letcharel Hertruida, however finally determined to not pursue a transfer because of the complexities concerned.
Confronted with a rising harm listing, Liverpool have been pressured to scour the marketplace for a direct answer. Giltruida rapidly emerged as a logical goal.
Liverpool goal signing Lutcharel Hertruida
Slott knew the defender effectively from his time at Feyenoord, the place Geertruida captained the crew and have become the linchpin of Slott’s defensive construction.
His versatility, permitting him to play as both a centre-back or a full-back, was notably interesting given Liverpool’s skinny squad.
Nevertheless, this transfer was on no account easy. Geertruida is at present on mortgage at Sunderland from RB Leipzig, creating an advanced situation between the three golf equipment.
Liverpool selected to suppose forward relatively than push by means of with a stopgap answer.
As a substitute, the membership targeted on signing Jeremy Jacquet from Stade Rennais, agreeing a deal value round £60m to convey the highly-rated centre-back to Anfield in the summertime.
The transfer displays Liverpool’s desire for long-term planning over short-term options, even within the face of quick challenges.
“I believe I stated that I have been attempting to strengthen the crew, so I believe that is in all probability conveyed (that I needed gamers), and I do not suppose I used to be the one one who needed that.” Slott stated on Thursday, as reported by the Mirror.
“However it’s at all times about availability and the precise gamers.
“We’re discussing what is sweet for the membership within the brief and long run, for instance Jeremy Jacquet was unavailable within the winter however was out there in the summertime.
“We took the choice to signal him as a result of we expect he’s an excellent signing for the way forward for this membership. We’re very proud of the crew, let me make that clear. However clearly we now have three long-term injured gamers (Bradley, Leoni and Alexander Isak).”
“That is why we tried to strengthen the crew throughout the winter break, and ultimately the participant you talked about (Gertruida) was not out there. However we tried to strengthen the crew, that is clear.”
“And I believe that is helped us. However there’s additionally the likelihood that we do not signal gamers who aren’t adequate to play for this membership.”
Arne Slot is happy with January’s efficiency
Slott then hinted that though January had been tough, the membership didn’t wish to compromise its wider technique.
The arrival of Jacquet is seen internally as a serious funding in the way forward for Liverpool’s protection, relatively than a reactionary determination solely attributable to harm.
With accidents testing the crew’s depth and Guia Truida’s state of affairs proving too difficult, the Reds selected persistence over panic.
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