Liverpool's Transfer Strategy Under Scrutiny After Quiet January Window
Liverpool Football Club concluded the January transfer window with minimal first-team additions, focusing instead on long-term planning and academy reinforcements. This approach has sparked debate among pundits and fans alike, particularly following the club's substantial summer spending spree.
Minimal First-Team Business in January
The Reds made only one significant first-team signing during the winter window, securing Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet for £55 million, with potential add-ons taking the total to £60 million. However, the 20-year-old Frenchman will not join the squad until the summer, meaning manager Arne Slot must navigate the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign with his existing resources.
This follows a summer where Liverpool invested approximately £450 million in new talent, bringing in high-profile names such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Milos Kerkez. The January business was primarily focused on youth development, with Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya, and Ifeanyi Ndukwe all joining to strengthen the academy setup.
Hughes and Slot Present United Front
Sporting director Richard Hughes has publicly reinforced his strong working relationship with Slot, emphasising that the club fully supports the Dutch manager. Speaking on The Reds Roundtable podcast alongside Slot and CEO Billy Hogan, Hughes outlined their collaborative approach to football operations.
"Fundamentally, there's an understanding that matchday decisions, team selection, and tactics are always the manager's domain," Hughes stated. "It's very important not to step into that. We discuss football and performances, but I always let Arne lead those conversations."
Hughes acknowledged that while the club cannot always fulfil every transfer request, their partnership thrives under pressure. He expressed confidence in Liverpool's summer signings, noting that players like Ekitike and Wirtz are beginning to find their form after an adaptation period.
"All these players are here for a very good reason; they are top players," Hughes asserted. "We were all very happy with our summer business. As long as we're convinced they're the right players, their performances will quickly follow."
World Cup Winner Slams Jacquet Transfer
The signing of Jeremy Jacquet has attracted significant criticism, most notably from former France international and World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry. On the RMC radio show Rothen s'enflamme, Dugarry labelled Liverpool as "suckers" for paying up to £60 million for a defender with fewer than 60 senior appearances.
"Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool that was willing to pay €70 million," Dugarry remarked. "This is football that's lost its mind. There's no justification whatsoever for these amounts."
The French pundit also warned that the hefty price tag would place immense pressure on the young defender, potentially affecting how his performances are perceived. "Poor Jacquet, this transfer is going to put a lot of pressure on him," Dugarry added. "He'll arrive with so much pressure, and his performances will be viewed differently, even though he doesn't deserve it."
Looking Ahead to the Season's Final Stretch
With the transfer window closed, Liverpool's attention now turns to competing on multiple fronts. The Reds remain in contention for the FA Cup and the Champions League, offering opportunities for silverware despite their relatively quiet January.
The partnership between Slot and Hughes will continue to be tested as they seek to integrate summer signings and develop a cohesive squad capable of challenging for honours. Their united front suggests a long-term vision, even as external criticism mounts over their transfer market decisions.
