Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance after their 2-0 victory over Ipswich. However, he also emphasized that the squad is still open to potential transfers. The match revealed some deficiencies in Liverpool’s gameplay during the first half, prompting questions about the midfield’s performance without any new additions.
Slot dismissed the notion that the midfield was to blame for the team’s struggles in the first half, stating, “Our problem was more that we lost too many duels – our defenders lost too many and our attackers didn’t win enough.” To address these issues, Liverpool made crucial substitutions at halftime, bringing on Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley, Cody Gakpo, and Kostas Tsimikas. Surprisingly, talented players like Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez, and Curtis Jones remained on the bench.
Slot praised the impact of the substitutes, highlighting their readiness to contribute despite not starting the game. He emphasized that the squad already possesses quality players, but if the opportunity arises to strengthen further, Liverpool will not hesitate to do so.
Contrary to expectations, Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer has primarily revolved around potential departures rather than new signings. Their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi ended in disappointment, and the closest they came to a signing was Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who would be immediately loaned out and not affect the team’s current season.
Interestingly, there have been no reported bids for a defender, making the decision to exclude Joe Gomez from the matchday squad against Ipswich puzzling. According to Paul Joyce of The Times, Gomez is now exploring his options before the transfer window closes. Losing a versatile player like Gomez without securing a suitable replacement would be a significant blow to Liverpool’s defensive capabilities.
In conclusion, while Liverpool’s victory over Ipswich showcased the team’s strengths and the impact of their bench, it also highlighted the need for potential transfers to address weaknesses. Despite the lack of major signings thus far, Slot remains optimistic about the squad’s abilities while keeping an eye on the transfer market for any opportunities to enhance Liverpool’s chances of success.