Liverpool still trying to strengthen - Slot

Liverpool head Arne Slot says nan nine are still looking to fortify nan squad earlier nan transportation model closes.

The Reds tried to motion Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but missed retired aft nan Spain midfielder decided against nan move.

It intends Liverpool are nan only Premier League broadside who person not made a awesome signing this summer, pinch nan transportation model closing astatine 23:00 BST connected Friday, 30 August.

"I've said galore times already that our squad is really beardown and it's not truthful easy to find players who tin thief america aliases moreover fortify nan squad," said Slot.

"Zubimendi was 1 of them to beryllium fair, but he decided not to come. We spell guardant pinch nan ones we have. [Wataru] Endo did good successful pre-season truthful we're successful a bully place.

"In nan background, [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] is trying to fortify nan squad arsenic he tin but, unfortunately, Zubimendi decided not to come.

"He did each effort to bring him successful but, if a subordinate decides not to come, past it's evident he's not coming."

Slot has replaced Jurgen Klopp arsenic Liverpool head aft nan German, who led nan Reds to nan Carabao Cup and a third-placed top-flight decorativeness past season, near nan nine astatine nan extremity of 2023-24.

The Dutchman's first Premier League crippled will beryllium astatine promoted Ipswich Town connected Saturday (12:30 BST).

“We are ever talking astir transfers but besides a very affirmative point that we kept our players and they are successful a bully place. Jurgen near nan squad successful a bully spot and we are trying to build from there.

“Last play was besides a play wherever they won a trophy pinch this squad truthful we are hoping and aiming for nan aforesaid but it's not going to beryllium easy because location are a batch of bully and beardown teams successful nan Premier League who person strengthened their squads. We are looking guardant to nan challenge.”

This summer, Liverpool person sold guardant Fabio Carvalho to Brentford successful a woody worthy £27.5m, while defender Joel Matip, midfielder Thiago Alcantara and keeper Adrian person near nan club.

Slot was asked if not adding to nan squad would make a squad weaker but he rejected nan suggestion.

"If you don’t fortify nan squad you get weaker, that’s a spot weird," he said. "Normally, you either enactment nan aforesaid and I genuinely judge connected nan training crushed that you tin thief players and nan squad to improve.

“Maybe what you mean is if nan clubs astir you fortify nan squad past possibly they go amended but it’s not ever existent that if you bring successful players that nan squad go stronger.

“We - and I mean Richard and maine - are trying to fortify nan squad and if we deliberation we’ve recovered personification we effort to bring him in.

"Unfortunately, nan 1 we thought could thief america said no. In nan background, Richard is trying to amended nan squad but my main attraction is connected Ipswich.”