Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has reportedly erupted in anger after learning that Manchester United have stepped ahead of Liverpool in the race for the midfielder he views as his number one January signing.
Reports suggest Slot was in the middle of observing a training drill at Kirkby when staff informed him of the update — and he immediately stormed away in frustration, demanding explanations from the club’s transfer department.
Liverpool’s pursuit of the player wasn’t a short-term idea. For months, Slot and his recruitment team have been laying the groundwork for what they believed would be a transformational addition to the squad — advanced scouting missions, private conversations with the player’s camp, and even tactical plans drawn up with this signing in mind.
Everything seemed under control… until Manchester United suddenly appeared, negotiated swiftly, and reached a personal agreement with the midfielder before Liverpool could finalize their offer. The surprise hijack caught Liverpool completely off guard.
Slot is said to be furious, accusing Ruben Amorim and United of interfering with a deal that Liverpool had already been leading.
The Dutch manager reportedly called the situation a “transfer robbery,” expressing that Amorim should have shown respect and stayed away from a target Liverpool had already established deep connections with. In a heated internal meeting, Slot allegedly warned that if United continue operating in this manner, he will not hesitate to escalate his complaints directly to FIFA.
Inside Liverpool, the atmosphere has shifted dramatically. Members of the recruitment staff — usually confident and communicative — have gone quiet, now under immense pressure to rescue the deal before it collapses entirely.
Meanwhile, the player at the center of the saga suddenly holds incredible leverage: Liverpool’s clear sporting project on one side, and Manchester United’s financial temptation on the other. The final decision could define how this entire conflict is remembered — a genius capture or a humiliating loss for the red half of Merseyside.
The timing of this drama could not be worse for Liverpool. The club is still navigating life after Jurgen Klopp, trying to rebuild trust and identity under new leadership.
Slot’s early months have been marked by scrutiny and inconsistency, so missing out on his primary transfer request would feel like a direct blow to his authority — something that critics would immediately seize upon.
Within the squad, a tense silence is said to be hanging in the air. Some players believe Amorim is intentionally trying to disrupt Liverpool’s progress as the Premier League title race heats up. Others worry that Liverpool’s dominant reputation in the transfer market has started to fade.
This battle isn’t only about signing a footballer — it has become a test of power. Manchester United are rapidly strengthening under Amorim, while Liverpool are still searching for stability and answers.
The rivalry between these two giants has always been heated, but this incident has taken it beyond competition and into personal territory.
One thing is undeniable: whichever club wins this chase sends a message. If United complete the signing, they claim the upper hand — and Liverpool face a bruising embarrassment. But if Liverpool claw the deal back, Slot earns validation, confidence, and renewed control.
