Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged that the club could be forced into the transfer market before next week’s deadline, with uncertainty surrounding Jeremie Frimpong’s latest injury raising fresh questions about squad depth.
While the Reds remain cautious about short-term fixes, Slot admitted that circumstances may yet dictate a late addition, particularly if Frimpong faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
Frimpong has already been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United, with Liverpool’s medical staff still assessing the full severity of the problem.
Early indications suggest the setback could sideline the Dutch full-back for several weeks, and potentially longer, evoking memories of a previous hamstring issue that kept him out for close to two months earlier in the season.
Slot, however, was careful not to commit to a specific recovery timeline until further examinations are completed.
Speaking after Liverpool’s emphatic 6-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag, Slot outlined the club’s broader recruitment philosophy, stressing that any decision made in the final days of the window must align with both immediate needs and long-term planning.
“We as a club always make decisions that we, at least, think (are) smart decisions. So, we not only look at the short term, we also look at the long term, longer term – that’s why we sign young players as well, very good players but young ones that can still develop. Now we can see this development with a few.
“And it always depends on are there players available that we think can help us? And if they are, can we afford them? And does this also be helpful for the longer-term future because our players come back from injury as well?
“I just said we don’t have a squad where we have four right-backs and 12 midfielders and three or four No.9s – that’s not how it works over here. So, we have to do the smart things for the near future but also for the longer future. Let’s first see how Jeremie (Frimpong) is.
“Maybe he’s not able to play Saturday but maybe he’s able to play one or two days later. We now go into a schedule with one game a week, so that would usually mean less injuries but you’re never sure.”
