Arne Slot's honest verdict says everything about lack of Liverpool transfers

Arne Slot remains coy on transfer activities but acknowledges the hunt for fresh talent hasn't waned - as Liverpool awaits the outcome of its chase for Martin Zubimendi.

The Anfield outfit has targeted Real Sociedad's Zubimendi to strengthen its defensive midfield ahead of the new Premier League season. The player has a hefty £52 million ($66.3 million) buy-out clause, with the potential transfer still in its infancy.

Slot, quizzed about potential new signings following Liverpool's mixed bag Sunday friendlies - a 4-1 thrashing of Sevilla preceding a closed-doors stalemate with Las Palmas, chose his words carefully: "As a club like we are, we are always looking if we can strengthen the squad but it is not so easy to strengthen the squad, if you saw both games today.

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"I said many times before I inherited a real strong team and if we can and if we think it is possible we will strengthen the squad but only if we can and only if we think it is possible."

Ducking direct talks of Zubimendi, Slot remarked: "You can come up with every name you want to, of course."

Meanwhile, Fabio Carvalho's impending exit seems all but done, with Liverpool agreeing a sale to Brentford. "From what has been told to me there is an agreement in place but I haven't spoken with the club, I was fully focused today on these games,” said Slot. “I don't exactly know what the status with him is but that was the reason why he wasn't selected today."

The coach also shed light on his decision to give Nat Phillips a start over Van den Berg, who has been eyed by clubs such as PSV Eindhoven and Mainz. "It’s to do with load management, and of course a player like Nat who has been training with us for a long time deserves to have some playing time as well,” said Slot.

"It’s a combination of a player who has already had a lot of minutes and we don’t want to take the risk of him getting injured, we thought it was best for him not to start today, and that Nat also deserved to play."