Liverpool news: Arne Slot handed damning transfer verdict as Richard Hughes speaks out

Liverpool ended the transfer window without making any marquee signings to join their squad for the second half of the season

Liverpool made very few moves in the winter transfer window as they aim to turn their Premier League season around. Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet was signed in a £55million deal - plus a potential £5m in add-ons - but he won't head to Anfield until the summer.

Arne Slot oversaw a relatively quiet window in January after shelling out £450m in the summer for the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez. Jacquet signed in January alongside Mor Talla Ndiaye, Noah Adekoya and Ifeanyi Ndukwe all joining to bolster the academy set-up.

Now, attention shifts to the latter half of the 2025/26 season, with the FA Cup and the Champions League still to play for on the red side of Merseyside. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at the latest coming out of Anfield.

Club chief makes transfer vow

Sporting director Richard Hughes has clarified his close bond with Slot and confirmed that the club stands firmly behind the Dutchman. Hughes noted that Liverpool can't always give the manager the signings he requests, but insists it is a partnership that works well under pressure.

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Speaking alongside Slot and chief executive officer Billy Hogan on the newest episode of The Reds Roundtable, he said: "Fundamentally, there's the understanding for both parties and everyone at wide, that everything involving matchday, team selection, tactics, that's always the manager or head coach. That's their domain. It's very important not to step into that.

READ MORE : 'I had Liverpool medical ahead of £53m transfer - then they decided not to sign me'

OPINION

"Of course we talk about football and performances but I always let Arne lead that. 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.

"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. Understanding who he is as a football manager, how he wants to work, trying your best and 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 then."

Hughes is adamant that Liverpool's summer signings will come good and just need some time to adapt. This has been seen in recent weeks with Ekitike and Wirtz beginning to find some good form in front of goal.

He added: "You want to be there to support them and not suffocate them with it, let them find their own feet. All these players are here for a very good reason, they are top players. 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.

"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.

"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."

World Cup winner dubs Liverpool 'suckers'

Christophe Dugarry claimed Slot and his Liverpool hierarchy are "suckers" for spending up to £60m signing Jacquet from Rennes. Despite making less than 60 first-team appearances as a senior star, the Reds stumped up the cash to make the 20-year-old their second most expensive defender of all time - behind the iconic Virgil van Dijk.

Speaking on the RMC radio show ‘Rothen s’enflamme’, World Cup winner Dugarry slammed Liverpool's decision as he said: "This isn’t meant to offend the player, honestly, he’s not to blame at all, and we wish him all the best because he’s a good player.

"But when you have suckers like that… well done to Rennes. Rennes managed to find a sucker like Liverpool that was [willing to pay] €70million (£60m)."

The Frenchman added: "Let them continue, all these English clubs, sending tens of millions of euros. This isn’t just a two-tiered football situation anymore, it’s a football that’s lost its mind. Let’s stop trying to pretend there’s a justification for it. There’s no justification whatsoever."

Dugarry insisted that Slot's decision to splash the money on Jacquet will only place a huge amount of pressure on the young centre-back to perform immediately when he arrives.

"Poor Jacquet, this transfer is going to put a lot of pressure on him," he added. "Even him, the poor kid, who is certainly a very good player, is going to arrive with so much pressure.

"His performances will be viewed differently, even though he doesn’t deserve it. Those of us who know football, let’s not try to justify this amount by saying it’s because Liverpool has money or whatever. It’s meaningless!"

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