Liverpool boss says club does not have unlimited money as links to Guehi and Semenyo persist
Arne Slot emphasizes budgeting amid a £450 million summer outlay, while January additions hinge on finances and injuries to Liverpool's back line.
Arne Slot insisted Liverpool do not have unlimited money, even as the club faced a reported £450 million summer outlay and ongoing speculation over potential January additions. The Liverpool manager stressed that the club has balanced out big spending through player sales and operates within a defined budget, a point he made as injuries test the squad. “The outside world wants to believe we have unlimited money but that is not true,” Slot said, noting that insiders at Anfield know how the club funds its activity. “You insiders know what we have brought in to spend,” he added, underscoring that financial constraints shape selection and recruitment decisions while the team remains capable of winning games.
Liverpool’s flirtation with Marc Guehi continued to attract attention, even after a £35 million move to the club collapsed on deadline day in the summer. Guehi remains on the Red radar, and his situation is complicated by interest from several European powers and the fact that he could be available on a free transfer next summer if a deal cannot be completed in the near term. Palace, who own Guehi, ultimately blocked the switch, but Liverpool maintain a working relationship with his camp. The club also has studied Antoine Semenyo, whose £65 million release clause is active until January 10 and who has drawn interest from multiple top clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. Slot suggested that any winter move would need to fit within a tightened budget while still addressing the squad’s needs.
The injuries that have mounted in Liverpool’s defensive ranks have shaped the thinking around January recruitment. Slot pointed to an ACL injury suffered by Giovanni Leoni, the 26 million signing from Parma who made his debut only to succumb to a serious knee injury. He also confirmed that Joe Gomez will miss the upcoming trip to Tottenham, adding to a list that already includes ongoing concerns over the fitness of right-back options. Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are back with the squad but have not been able to sustain consistent fitness this season. With four centre-backs across the squad, plus Endo and Gravenberch capable of covering in defense, Slot argued the club’s depth remains workable, even as injuries test the team’s resilience throughout a demanding campaign.
Liverpool has not ruled out another winter move, a path the club has taken before when needed. In recent seasons, the club moved ahead on transfers despite the calendar say-so, with Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz cited as examples of mid-season adjustments that aligned with longer-term plans. Guehi’s camp remains in touch with Liverpool as the club weighs the practicality of a signing that would increase central defensive options, while Semenyo’s availability—via his release clause—continues to be monitored as a potential upgrade to attack depth. The Reds’ scouting and recruitment approach remains pragmatic, balancing ambition with the realities of their current wage structure and transfer constraints.
On the pitch, Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to be fit for the clash with Spurs after an ankle concern, while Cody Gakpo remains out for at least two more games. Slot highlighted the importance of maintaining flexibility in midfield and attack, noting that the squad’s ability to adapt under pressure has long been a hallmark of the club’s approach. While the January window remains a subject of discussion among supporters and pundits alike, the manager reiterated that any moves would be evaluated in the context of Liverpool’s broader squad strategy and financial framework, rather than as standalone fixes to short-term injuries.