Liverpool Transfers Back Arne Slot As Hughes Defends Top Players

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has backed head coach Arne Slot and Liverpool's transfer dealings, despite the club slipping to sixth in the Premier League. Liverpool sit 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and a further two behind Manchester United, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification position.

The pressure around Slot has grown after a strong start faded. Liverpool opened the league season with five consecutive wins, yet then hit a difficult spell, taking just one victory from seven league fixtures. Before beating Newcastle United 4-1 last Saturday, Liverpool had gone five Premier League games without a win.

One reason for the intense focus on Slot and Liverpool's transfer dealings is the heavy investment in the squad

since the summer. Liverpool broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak, while Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni also joined the club during the same window.

The activity around Liverpool's transfer dealings continued into the winter market. Liverpool completed a reported £60m (€69.5m) agreement for defender Jeremy Jacquet on Monday, with Jacquet scheduled to arrive at Anfield in the summer. That deal closed the winter transfer window for Liverpool and added another major signing to the defensive options.

Hughes, speaking on The Reds Roundtable, defended Liverpool's transfer dealings and the process behind them. "You want to be there to support them and not suffocate them with it, let them find their own feet," Hughes said. "All these players are here for a very good reason, they are top players. "

Hughes stressed that Liverpool's transfer dealings involve many people at the club, not just the sporting director. "Everybody has played their part in getting them to the club and we were all very happy with what we did in the summer, not just me. " Hughes also rejected the idea that signings reflect solely on one person.

"Whether they are good, bad or indifferent in terms of signings, there's no proprietary felt in my position, it's a collective effort that helps these boys translate their form for which they have been brought to the club and be the best version of themselves. " Hughes added that recruitment decisions must be right from the start.

"As long as the players are the right ones in the first place, and we are absolutely convinced every time we bring someone in that they are, then the performances on the pitch will quickly follow. " Hughes believes that approach gives the squad the best chance to show consistent form across competitions.

Recent performances suggest some of Liverpool's transfer dealings are starting to deliver. Against Newcastle, Ekitike and Wirtz both made key attacking contributions. Across all competitions this season, Ekitike and Wirtz have now combined for six goals, more than any other Premier League duo, with each player also recording three assists.

The victory over Newcastle also carried wider significance for Liverpool's season. It marked Liverpool's first Premier League win after conceding the opening goal since April of last season, when Liverpool achieved the same feat against Tottenham. The result eased some pressure on Slot and offered a timely boost to team confidence.

European form has helped support Slot during this challenging domestic period. Liverpool have already secured automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16, which has reduced some external criticism. Even so, there remains ongoing speculation that the Dutch coach could depart Liverpool at the end of the season.

Hughes spoke about working closely with Slot and how that relationship influences Liverpool's transfer dealings and broader strategy. "Of course we talk about football and performances, but I always let Arne lead that. " Hughes said discussions are open, but timing and balance matter when sharing views on the team.

"Naturally, in a conversation I will come up with an opinion and not just react to Arne's, but always waiting for the right time to share these things is critical. " Hughes suggested arriving at Liverpool alongside Slot helped that understanding. "Did it help that we came in together at the same point? Possibly.

But it's more important that we had synergy right from the first moment. " Hughes said knowing Slot's methods is central to Liverpool's transfer dealings and planning. "Understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work andtrying your best. " Hughes underlined the challenge of supporting the head coach properly.

"It's not always possible to put them in the best possible position to have all the tools they require, and that's what I feel my job is. " With Liverpool chasing Champions League football and progress in Europe, Hughes remains confident that recent signings and the partnership with Slot can still produce an improved finish.