Slot must now unleash “sensational” Liverpool star

Another transfer window has flown by without swallowing Liverpool into its central hub. Segments of the Anfield fanbase have clamoured for new signings, but it wasn’t to be.

Were Liverpool suffering a more aching hangover from Jurgen Klopp’s painful decision to step down from his manager’s role at the end of last season, transfer-related indignation would be more understandable, to be sure.

However, Arne Slot has hit Merseyside not so much like a duck to water as a wrecking ball to rubble, smashing through obstacles across all four fronts.

Arsenal thrashed Manchester City on Sunday; good stuff Gunners. But they still trail the Premier League leaders by six points, having played an extra match too.

Moreover, Liverpool finished first in the Champions League group phase, have a fighting chance of reaching the Carabao Cup final and meet Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle for a place in the last-16 of the FA Cup.

It’s all going rather well. Who needs signings, anyway?

Why Liverpool didn’t make any January signings

Let’s repeat the overworn line: FSG are prudent, bide their time, will not be pressed into hasty action in the transfer market. It’s sometimes frustrating to absorb this for what feels like all the time as a Liverpool fan, but can we really complain?

Liverpool could do with a left-back, sure, and Ibrahima Konate remains the sole centre-back signing in about six years, but these are problems that require concentrated attention and the best options, and that means waiting until the summer.

Ongoing contract problems also make transfer dealings difficult, for sporting director Richard Hughes would have to go against his employers’ grain to spend heavily on a superstar when the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and/or Trent Alexander-Arnold may yet scribble their signatures onto a new sheet of paper.

But the Reds aren’t averse to strengthening. Notably, top sources such as The Athletic confirmed that Liverpool held an interest in Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. However, PSG’s hooks were firmly fixed and intrigue remained exactly that.

Rayan Cherki’s future at Lyon was a hot topic throughout January but he will continue with the Ligue 1 side until the end of the season, when he will have just one year left on his deal.

Liverpool had a vested interest in the silky playmaker, as per reports, but ultimately, again, opted against making their interest something concrete.

There’s no doubt that Cherki is a forward of immense quality, having been predicted to be a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by The Athletic’s Alex Barker.

To be honest, Slot’s Liverpool might be the perfect place for such a rising star, but with Harvey Elliott pushing for an increased role, why would the English club make a signing for a player bearing such a striking likeness?

Harvey Elliott’s season in numbers

Elliott’s endured a frustrating campaign under Slot, scarcely featuring over the opening weeks before fracturing his foot with England U21s and missing several months of action.

The 21-year-old has been fit since the end of November but Elliott remains on the fringe of Slot’s plans, afforded chances to impress and influence off the bench but yet to start a single match in the Premier League.

That’s not to say that he hasn’t caught the eye. Elliott was recently hailed for making a “massive impact” when called upon by The Athletic’s James Pearce, scoring in Liverpool’s last two Champions League matches, helping in the top flight and scoring against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, back in December.

The £40k-per-week Elliott is less mobile than Cherki, but both are high-class technicians with the ability to fashion something special out of nothing.

Liverpool’s young maverick has even been described as a “sensational talent” by his former manager Klopp, with his fierce striking ability and cerebral mastery of the playmaking art evidenced after he racked up six assists from just 11 Premier League starts last term, averaging 1.1 key passes per game.

It’s just difficult to imagine a world in which Cherki and Elliott can cohabit in Slot’s Liverpool, both clinching starting berths with the regularity that their talent level deserves.

Cherki outperforms Elliott in terms of output when it comes to various ball-playing and -carrying metrics, but Elliott is more incisive with his assisting and more crisp in possession, something that bodes well for his future under Slot’s wing.

It’s also worth noting that the Premier League bears an objectively higher level of competition than Ligue 1, and Cherki would need to adapt to the rigours of English football, likely to nip at his dribbling and creative numbers.

He’s here to stay. It’s sometimes easy to forget that Elliott is still only 21 and has already overcome a number of big injury issues.

Fans want signings and all that, but signing for signing’s sake is not how FSG do things at Anfield. It’s frustrating at times, but the proof is in the pudding. Rivals watch Liverpool with envy.