Liverpool, Arne Slot and a January Reality Check Ahead of Arsenal
Liverpool’s first Arne Slot press conference of 2026 arrived wrapped in familiar winter strangeness. As David Lynch explained on his YouTube channel, festive scheduling strips these moments of immediacy and news value. “They’re not very newsy,” Lynch said, pointing out that injury updates and clear headlines are often absent because “the game has only just happened.” Still, returning to the AXA Training Centre brought clarity of a different sort, one that spoke to Liverpool’s mood, depth and direction under Slot.
This was not just a preview of Arsenal away. It was a snapshot of where Liverpool find themselves, competitive but uneasy, united but stretched, reflective but not complacent.
Team news concerns before Arsenal test
Lynch began, as he always does, with team news, and it did little to lift spirits. Hugo Ekitike remains a major doubt. Lynch reminded viewers that the forward “misses the trip to Fulham with a slight hamstring concern,” one that was initially “played down really.” Expectations of a swift return have faded. “Unfortunately he hasn’t trained since then,” Lynch said, adding that Slot’s update was simply, “Let’s see.”
For a player Lynch described as “probably being Liverpool’s best forward this season,” the potential absence against Arsenal feels significant. Lynch even noted the darker arts of social media speculation, saying that Connor Bradley and a member of staff had “removed Hugo Ekitike from their fantasy football team,” something he called “always a pretty good indication that they’re not going to play.”
January window talk and Mark Guehi stance
January inevitably brings transfer noise, and Lynch addressed the swirling speculation around Marc Guehi. Slot’s position was predictable and consistent. “I never talk about transfers,” Slot said, a line Lynch delivered with knowing familiarity.
Beyond that refusal, Lynch shared his understanding. Liverpool “would prefer to wait until the summer” and the player himself may feel the same, believing he is “sitting on a bit of a gold mine to wait until it’s a free transfer.” Palace’s demands, Lynch said, are now higher than the £35 million previously accepted, meaning “it’s going to take something pretty special really to change the situation.”
His conclusion was blunt. “We can confidently state that it’s pretty unlikely that Liverpool are going to sign Marc Guehi in January.”
Squad depth, centre backs and long term planning
Questions around defensive depth followed, especially with Liverpool briefly down to two fit centre backs. Slot’s response struck Lynch as revealing. “No manager would tell you they’re happy with only two centre backs,” Slot said, but he also pointed to “the bigger picture.”
That bigger picture includes faith in Giovvani Leoni. Slot described him as “an unbelievable player that is back next season,” reinforcing the club’s long held approach. Liverpool, Lynch explained, do not want to “carry five centre halves just in case.” The model remains three experienced defenders and one younger option, with Leone firmly pencilled in.
This logic also rules out other names. “Ordonez is too young to be one of those experienced guys,” Lynch said, adding that Liverpool do not see him as “far enough along” for that role.
Slot’s honesty on performance and unity
Perhaps the most striking moments came when Slot addressed criticism of Liverpool’s football. “I find it really hard to hear but I would not completely disagree,” Slot said, accepting that performances have dipped and that “athletically it’s not good either.”
Lynch also highlighted Slot’s emphatic defence of internal unity. “I am really happy with the squad we have,” Slot said, adding that “all the decisions last summer are completely aligned with me, Richard and ownership.” Lynch called this “emphatic” and noted that Slot “did not need to go that far,” yet chose to show collective responsibility.
Arsenal away, Slot suggested, represents “a good opportunity to see where Liverpool are up to in the development.” As Lynch put it, Liverpool “need to start playing better soon,” and this fixture offers a clear benchmark.
