Erik ten Hag's cheeky response to Man Utd transfer question speaks volumes about Liverpool approach

Liverpool and Manchester United have long had very different strategies in the transfer market. And despite Erik ten Hag's side having been busy already this summer, bringing in four signings to date for the Dutch coach, he wants even more .

Asked live on Sky Sports by Roy Keane whether or not Manchester United could make more transfer moves before the August 30 deadline, Ten Hag simply laughed and said "We can't stand still!".

Manchester United has already signed Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna), Matthijs de Ligt , Noussair Mazraoui (both Bayern Munich) and Leny Yoro (Lille). Liverpool , meanwhile, is yet to secure its first signing of the Arne Slot and Richard Hughes era.

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"It depends also what happens in the market," Ten Hag continued after being pressed on what position might be a priority for Manchester United. "But I'm happy with the squad and I think I'm quite confident going into the season."

While some Liverpool fans might well look on and be slightly jealous considering the lack of activity so far at Anfield this summer, Manchester United, it would be fair to say, had a lot more work to do heading into the summer window in comparison to what the Reds needed to get done.

Only Yoro — who Liverpool's recruitment department admired — would have been a sensible signing for the Reds to make, though, with there still being a gap between the two rivals who will meet in a couple of weeks at Old Trafford. Ten Hag's team should be better for the new faces but Slot's roster is still the better of the two.

That is not to say, however, that Liverpool does not need to try and do all it can in the next two weeks to bolster its ranks. Slot could do with an alternative to Martin Zubimendi being found at the base of his midfield while there could easily be an argument made for adding another center-back to replace Joel Matip and another forward for extra firepower.

While Ten Hag is clearly still looking for another body or two, Liverpool has been a lot more patient in its approach. As Slot explained reiterated again during his pre-Ipswich Town press conference , finding upgrades on the players he already has is difficult.

Ten Hag's willingness to openly admit that more signings might hint at a more exciting couple of weeks happening at Old Trafford than Anfield. At the same time, though, it is also a reminder of which team is the one playing catch-up.

For Slot, signings are viewed as more of a want than a need. An under pressure Ten Hag requires more quality as a necessity or his job could quickly come under pressure once again.