Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit has criticised captain Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool's disappointing campaign

Liverpool's injury list for Manchester City could get a little smaller after Arne Slot provided updates on Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong in his press conference

Liverpool's injury list for Manchester City could get a little smaller after Arne Slot provided updates on Joe Gomez and Jeremie Frimpong in his press conference

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Arne Slot has been discussing the future of Curtis Jones after Inter Milan made an approach for the Liverpool midfielder

Arne Slot has been discussing the future of Curtis Jones after Inter Milan made an approach for the Liverpool midfielder

Arne Slot met with the media ahead of Liverpool’s clash with rival Manchester City. The boss admitted that the Reds were outplayed by City away and hopes for a better performance in the return fixture. He also addressed the recent signing of Jérémy Jacquet  and provided injury updates to Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez.

Slot Pleased With Jacquet Signing

At the beginning of the week, it was announced that Liverpool had signed 20-year-old defender Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes. The addition fits the mould of the kind of player the club wants in a Liverpool shirt, and Slot wasted no time in singing his praises.

“Very pleasing, of course, because first of all he is a very big talent – and maybe even more than ‘only’ a talent, but we speak about talent because of his age, of course,” Slot said. “Second of all, because we weren’t the only one interested in him, so another big compliment for the people that are working every single day so hard to sign players, that we were able to sign such a big talent.”

Man City Challenge

Slot admits that Liverpool were outplayed in a 3-0 loss at the Etihad back on November 9th and that City will present a challenge even at Anfield.

“When we played them away, it was one of the few games this season where I felt like we were not the better team,” he said. “We were in stretches, but not long enough. "They're a very good team who were able to win on Wednesday, against a team [Newcastle] we beat at the weekend, not even with their starters. That tells you, combined with the game we played against them, what a force City still is and always will be."

Team News

Slot revealed that Jeremie Frimpong will not be available due to injury, but Joe Gomez could be fit enough to come off the bench.

"Jeremie will definitely not train this week, so he's not available for the weekend [against Manchester City],” Slot said. “But "With Joe, we have a little bit of hope that he might train Saturday. So, not available to start but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you already know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment."

LFC Globe Verdict

I expect Liverpool to play better than they did in a 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad. However,  given that the Reds are still having to play a makeshift back-four with Ryan Gravenberch  dropping in defence, and having to face Erling Haaland (20 goals), I’m not sure the magic of Anfield will be enough to rescue the Reds this time 

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Liverpool has to think about what life will look like without Virgil van Dijk, with Arne Slot explaining that the signing of Jeremy Jacquet will feed into those plans in the summer

10:35, 05 Feb 2026

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot embraces his captain, Virgil van Dijk(Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says the signing of Jeremy Jacquet feeds into a wider transfer strategy of targeting young players with very high ceilings — with one eye admittedly on life beyond Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk is tied down until the summer of 2027 on the deal he penned just under a year ago, but will turn 35 in the summer. In addition to Jacquet, Liverpool also spent around $35 million (£26 million) on Giovanni Leoni last summer.

"You are longer here than I am, so if I tell you that this club does everything they do with a reason, then I don't think you are surprised," Slot said during his pre-Manchester City press conference.

READ MORE: Arne Slot explains why Liverpool signed Jeremy Jacquet with glowing verdict on $82M transferREAD MORE: Liverpool could get major injury boost before Man City as Arne Slot offers latest updates

"Everything that is done is never from panic. It's always long term idea or something that is thought about for a long time and not by just one person, but by multiple persons.

"We are aware of the fact that Virgil won't play for this club for 10 more years. But he has one and a half years left. He will be with us for that period and maybe even longer if he keeps staying as fit as he is now.

"As I said before, what a compliment to him, at his age, to keep playing every three days. Not only for our club, but also for his country, for seven or eight months already.

Jeremy Jacquet (left) in action for Rennes against Marseille(Image: Getty Images)

"Hopefully he can stay as fit as he is for multiple years, but this club is not stupid. We do know somewhere in the upcoming years, there is life for this club without Virgil.

"You are now talking about Virgil, but you can say this for every position. This club is not only thinking about the short-term future, but also for the mid to long-term future as well."

Slot was also asked about his left-back, with Milos Kerkez, who — the Bournemouth game aside — has been in considerably better form across the last month or six weeks.

Signed from Bournemouth for a fee of around $54 million (£40 million), the Hungary international is set to be another key pillar of the Reds defense moving forward.

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"What has changed with him? It's what you get when you play longer and if you keep playing those players when they sometimes have moments that aren't as good as others," Slot explained.

"This is also normal for younger players and you can just keep trusting and believing in them. We know who we signed, his potential and he has shown that if you keep playing him.

"There are a lot of games to play and it was a combination of Premier League and Champions League for him, so I am happy to have Andy Robertson as well because he has helped the team. He is a young player we've signed where the best of him is yet to come."

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Arne Slot has faced the press ahead of Liverpool's crunch Anfield clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon

Arne Slot has faced the press ahead of Liverpool's crunch Anfield clash with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has provided the latest on injuries, with Joe Gomez likely to be back in the matchday squad to take on Man City in the Premier League this weekend

09:13, 05 Feb 2026Updated 10:37, 05 Feb 2026

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says Joe Gomez could play a part against Manchester City this weekend as he continues to recover from the knock he sustained at Bournemouth.

Gomez limped off after being crashed into by his own goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, at the Vitality Stadium. He hasn't been seen since, even though the injury was never anticipated to keep him out for long.

"Jeremie Frimpong will definitely not train this week, so he is not available for the weekend," Slot said in his pre-match press conference. "With Joe Gomez, we have a little bit of hope he can train tomorrow or Saturday. He won't be available to start, but he will maybe be available to help during the game because we don't have many defenders available at the moment."

READ MORE: Richard Hughes already dropped Liverpool summer transfer hint before Jeremy Jacquet signingREAD MORE: Liverpool next transfer priority after Jeremy Jacquet as long-term plan comes together

Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are the other long-term injury absences. It is anticipated that aside from those four or five players, everyone else will be ready for selection.

Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is fit and has been working hard off the pitch to improve his strength and conditioning. In recent weeks, the German has been in excellent form.

"I think you saw first and foremost, full credit to the player on the pitch and the gym, putting in the work," Slot said. "As a manager, if someone is maybe struggling physically at the start, you have to keep on playing them because that is the only way for players to improve and he was an example of that this season.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is searching for a big win this weekend(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

"He didn't improve that much on the ball because from the start, he was special on the ball. Maybe now he has the connections with his teammates.

"Off the ball is the biggest improvement with him and some others, and that combination makes you ready for the Premier League. The Premier League is about both on and off the ball."

Wirtz scored and played very well against Newcastle last time out, but Slot believes Liverpool have played better than that this season.

"It was a good last hour, but the first 30 minutes was not what we wanted it to be," he said. "The first 30, we didn't play that much and there were a lot of set pieces which took a lot of time. Then it is difficult to find momentum and tempo and pace as we had in the last hour.

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"I liked our last hour, but for me, it wasn't our best of the season. We have played many good games of football, but unfortunately we are not always able to be good in both boxes. But we were good in both boxes against Newcastle and now people start to notice.

"Both boxes have not been good enough throughout 95 per cent of the time. Now, the last two games it was, and all of a sudden it is the performance and the result that is different.

"It's a combination of many things. Off the ball good, we were really good. The third goal was off a high press, and a very good transition moment. I saw individual performances that are getting better because these players are getting fitter and adjusting more towards Premier League and Champions League games.

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"Again, we go into a week where we have to play three games in seven days, which is not the most simple either. Not an easy FA Cup draw, so three strong teams in seven days — that is another challenge."

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has offered his verdict after the Reds snapped up $82M center-back Jeremy Jacquet earlier this week ahead of the summer window opening

09:10, 05 Feb 2026Updated 10:40, 05 Feb 2026

Arne Slot has spoken to the press(Image: LFC TV)

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has outlined why the Reds snapped up Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day, with an $82 million (£60 million) swoop to beat Chelsea to the 20-year-old center-back.

Chelsea and clubs around Europe are understood to have held an interest in Jacquet. However, he chose Liverpool as the best next step in his career, with Rennes insistent that he wouldn't be leaving France until the summer.

"Very pleasing, of course," Slot said of the deal in his press conference before taking on Manchester City this weekend. "First of all, he is a very big talent and maybe even more than only a talent, but we speak about that because of his age.

READ MORE: Richard Hughes already dropped Liverpool summer transfer hint before Jeremy Jacquet signingREAD MORE: Liverpool next transfer priority after Jeremy Jacquet as long-term plan comes together

"Second, we weren't the only ones interested in him so it is a big compliment to the people who are working so hard every single day to sign players that we were able to sign such a big talent.

"It is another example of the model we use at this club: young, very talented, sometimes at the start of their careers and sometimes a few years in, but always players that are young and can improve and help us for the short and definitely the long term.

"We have signed a lot of those recently and the mid to long-term future, and even the short-term future, is in as very good place."

Jacquet is a French youth international and will arrive in a few months. As things stand, Ibrahima Konate will be leaving as a free agent, meaning the center-back position was a major priority to address.

Liverpool have completed the signing of Stade Rennais defender Jeremy Jacquet.(Image: Getty Images)

"I am honored to sign for Liverpool, one of the greatest football institutions in the world," he said, in a statement released by Rennes after the transfer was announced.

"It was also very important for me to finish my time in red and black on a high, at my boyhood club, the club of my heart. I'm approaching this second half of the season with the desire to experience some great moments with my teammates and the fans."

Jacquet was not the only center-back that Liverpool signed in January, with deals done for Mor Talla Ndiaye and Noah Adekoya at youth level, plus Ifeanyi Ndukwe — another one whose move will go through at the end of the season.

Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits

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From $100

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Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.

Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.

"You are longer here than I am so if I tell you they do everything with a reason you are not surprised," Slot said. "We never panic. It's always long term and thought about for a long time and not by just one person.

"We know Virgil van Dijk won't play for 10 years but he has a year and a half left, maybe longer with us. He stays fit and what a compliment that is to him he can play every three days.

"Hopefully he can stay fit for multiple years but this club is not stupid. We do know somewhere in the upcoming years, there is life after Virgil, but that is for every position.

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"We don't think about short-term only, it is medium to long-term as well."

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Virgil van Dijk has shown his admiration for Barcelona legend Ronaldinho in the past and the Brazilian has now sent a message himself

Virgil van Dijk has shown his admiration for Barcelona legend Ronaldinho in the past and the Brazilian has now sent a message himself

Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and Arne Slot will speak at the Reds' AXA Training Centre on Thursday morning to preview the clash

Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and Arne Slot will speak at the Reds' AXA Training Centre on Thursday morning to preview the clash

Liverpool have previously been linked with signing Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven before agreeing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day

Liverpool have previously been linked with signing Tottenham Hotspur star Micky van de Ven before agreeing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day

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