Arne Slot maintains Liverpool will “wait for the right moment” to strengthen their squad, refusing to dismiss the possibility of new arrivals before the January transfer window shuts. Long-term injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley have prompted suggestions that the Reds should reinforce their backline.

However, summer target Marc Guehi, who underwent a medical on deadline day before Crystal Palace withdrew from the £35million agreement, is now Manchester City-bound. City have also completed the signing of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, another player previously linked with the Premier League champions.

Liverpool‘s January business has instead focused on youth development, securing Senegal Under-20 international Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie and nearing completion of a deal for Austrian teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

When questioned about potential reinforcements this month, Slot remained characteristically guarded but confirmed he, sporting director Richard Hughes and the recruitment team are aligned on whether to act in the market.

“Are we less stretched in attack, then? I am a bit surprised people are talking like this,” Slot responded when pressed about defensive additions this month. “You think we have more options in the front? I am surprised people are so focused on our last line.

“We don’t have an injury in our midfield so that is the line we don’t have them but I think I have said it is the press conference but I can say it one more time.

“Everyone is aligned, everyone knows what the challenges are, and we all agree but that is not to say there is no possibility for us to act because as you know this club has always waited for the right moment and never from a position of panic.

“We always do the right things at the right moment. The one who was here before me had some issues at the back as well in a certain season.

“If the right player arrives for multiple reasons no matter what the position in our team – it could be last line, midfield or attack – then we will act.

“If not we do it with the players we have because Wata (Wataru Endo) has come back now as well. At this moment there are only three players who are out with long term injuries (Leoni, Bradley and Alexander Isak).

“[We won’t move] unless it’s an opportunity or a chance in the market, but I think we have shown in this window or in the summer how we act. That has been meticulous and a very detailed process that is not done in two weeks but over a long period of time but then we act at the right moment.

“But if there is an opportunity in the market or if things get even worse, we can have a different situation.”

On the prospect of players leaving this month, Slot added: “I think this club has As always, similar to our approach in signing players, we never outright reject any possibilities.

“This club has consistently demonstrated that if another club presents the right offer – and we believe it’s the right and fair offer, which includes not just my opinion but also that of the sporting directors and our owners – then we can reach a decision that we all agree on.

“However, at this current moment, we are focusing on working with the players we have. So, you’re well aware of how this club operates too.

“I’ve mentioned numerous times before, even months ago, that while everyone is discussing our £450m expenditure, they seem to overlook that we sold for £300m. And I can’t fault anyone for this oversight because, truth be told, we, Liverpool, are quite an exception when it comes to selling.

“Typically, most Premier League clubs only purchase, which is why our achievement is so extraordinary. This club is managed so efficiently that it has been able to perform at the level it has in recent years.”