After missing out on Marc Guehi on deadline day, Liverpool are reportedly ready to table a January offer to sign a Barcelona alternative for Arne Slot.
Slot admits "lot to improve" after Atletico Madrid win
If you were to ask Liverpool what their perfect set of results would look like after five games, then 15 points from a possible 15 in all competitions would be their answer.
Ask them about their ideal performances in that time, however, and they’re unlikely to request five last-gasp winners. Nonetheless, somehow, Anfield’s late show has rolled on.
This time, it was Virgil van Dijk who stepped up – heading home in the 92nd minute to hand Liverpool a deserved 3-2 victory against Atletico Madrid. Alas, for all the positives in arguably their best performance of the season so far, Slot admitted that there’s still a “lot to improve”.
“Everybody will probably talk again about the late game winner, which I understand because that is the story of this game and the story of the last five games. But for me it was a different game than the ones we have played before.
“So I saw many good things but it is not for the first time that we give away a 2-0 lead as well, which was different to the one we gave away against Bournemouth because this one had nothing to do with counter-attacks.
“But we did give away a 2-0 lead, which is not what we were known for last season. So yes, there is a lot to improve but there is a lot to like as well.”
Whether things would have been different from a defensive standpoint if Liverpool’s move for Guehi crossed the line on deadline day is certainly something to ponder.
Without the Crystal Palace captain, the Reds’ biggest weakness comes courtesy of their depth at centre-back and that may well be something they solve with an alternative option in January.
Liverpool ready to table £40m Araujo offer
According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now ready to table an offer to sign Ronald Araujo in January. The Barcelona defender has lost his place in Hansi Flick’s side and the Reds are reportedly willing to submit a bid for his signature worth €50m (£43m) when the winter window arrives.
Whether the Catalan club accept that offer is the big question. Given their constant state of financial chaos and the fact that Araujo has lost his starting place, the defender could be an asset that they’re willing to let go at the right price. Meanwhile, compared to Guehi, there’s no denying that the 26-year-old has the ability to compete for a place at Anfield.
Minutes
754
3,059
Progressive Passes
5.83
3.94
Tackles Won
1.07
1
Ball Recoveries
3.21
4.29
Described as “strong” by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, Araujo could become quite the coup at just over £40m. The defender has plenty of experience at the very top level and could instantly translate that to the Premier League by completing a January switch to Liverpool.
