Arne Slot has said Liverpool have “a hell of a challenge” to prevent injuries affecting their ambitions for the rest of the season after failing to sign Lutsharel Geertruida on deadline day.

Although Liverpool strengthened for next season with the £60m signing of Jérémy Jacquet, who will arrive from Rennes in the summer, their current problems in defence were not covered. The Premier League champions did move for the Netherlands international Geertruida, who is on loan at Sunderland from Leipzig and wanted the transfer, but the deal was called off because Sunderland were unable to secure a replacement.

Slot is without two defenders for the remainder of the season in Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, and Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hip injury. Joe Gomez has missed the past two games with a hip problem but could return to the bench against Manchester City on Sunday.

The Liverpool head coach believes his squad will improve but would struggle to withstand further injury setbacks. “I’m very happy with the squad, let that be clear,” Slot said. “But it’s obvious we have three long-term injuries. That’s why we tried to strengthen in the winter break and the player you mentioned,...