After missing Mark Guech on the deadline, Liverpool is reportedly ready to lead the table a January offer to sign a Barcelona alternative in Arne Slot.
Slots admits “a lot to improve” after Atletico Madrid won
Ask Liverpool what their perfect outcome looks like after five games, and the 15-15 points possible in all competitions will be their answer.
However, if you ask them about their ideal performance at the time, it’s unlikely they’ll demand a final winner of five. Nevertheless, somehow, Anfield’s late show continues.
This time it was Virgil van Dik who stepped up – he returned home in the 92nd minute and deserved a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately, for all the positives in all the best performances of the season so far, Slot has admitted that there is still “a lot to improve.”
“Everyone will probably talk again about the winners of the later games, because that’s because it’s the story of this game and the story of the last five games. But for me it was a different game from the one I’ve played before.
“So I saw a lot of good things, but this is not the first time I’ve dumped a 2-0 lead, which was different from what I gave against Bournemouth because this had nothing to do with the counterattack.
“But we weren’t known last season. Yes, there’s a lot to improve, but there’s a lot to like.”
If Liverpool crossed the line on the deadline day, it is certainly something to be considered if things were different from their defensive perspective.
Without the Crystal Palace captain, the Reds’ biggest weakness is the courtesy of the depth of the centre-back, which may be something that will be resolved with the January alternative option.
Liverpool is ready to table £40 million araujo offers
According to a Spanish report, Liverpool is ready to present its offer to sign Ronald Araujo in January. The Barcelona defender has lost his position on Hansiflic’s side, and the Reds are reportedly willing to file a signature bid worth 50 million euros (£43 million) when the winter windows arrive.
Whether or not a Catalan club will accept the offer is a big question. Given their constant financial turmoil and the fact that Araujo has lost his departure, the defenders could become assets they are willing to let go at a reasonable price. On the other hand, there is no denying that the 26-year-old has the ability to compete in Anfield compared to Guehi.
League Statistics P90 24/25 | Araujo | Guehi |
|---|---|---|
Min | 754 | 3,059 |
Progressive Pass | 5.83 | 3.94 |
The tackle won | 1.07 | 1 |
Ball recovery | 3.21 | 4.29 |
Araujo, described as “strong” by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr., could be a coup that would amount to just over £40 million. The defender has a lot of experience at a very top level and can instantly translate it into the Premier League by completing the January switch to Liverpool.