Arne Slot has described defender Jérémy Jacquet as a “huge talent” ahead of his summer move to Liverpool.
Slot's side agreed an initial £55 million ($74.6 million) deal with Rennes for Jacquet on deadline day, with the centre-back set to move to Anfield in July.
He had been the subject of interest from many other European clubs, including Chelsea, however, Liverpool accelerated their long-term interest in the player last weekend.
“Very nice, of course,” said Slot. “He is a great talent and perhaps even more than talent, but we talk about talent because of his age.
“Secondly, because we weren't the only ones interested in him, so it's a big compliment to the people who work very hard to sign players.
“Such a great talent and another example of the model we are using at this club: young and very talented players sometimes at the beginning of their careers or sometimes already with a few years of career, but always players who are young and can improve us in the short term, but also definitely in the long term.
“We have signed many of them recently and, as I have said many times, the medium-long term future of this club, and even the short term, is in a very good place.”
Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League table and will hope to boost their chances of finishing in the top four with a win over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
“The game we played there [in the 3-0 defeat at Etihad Stadium]in the first half they completely outplayed us to a large extent,” Slot said.
“It's another time for us to see where we are in the development of this team.
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“That said, we know the importance of a result on Sunday, but that applies to all Premier League teams this weekend – it's the final phase of the season, so results matter more and more.
“They are a very good team who even beat the team we beat last weekend without their starters, which tells you, combined with the game against them, what a force City still are and always will be.”
Reflecting on Liverpool's injury situation, Slot added: “Jeremie [Frimpong] He definitely won't be training this week so he won't be available at the weekend.
“With Joe [Gomez]”We're a little bit hopeful that he'll be able to train on Saturday, so he won't be available to start, but maybe he'll be available to help the team if needed because, as you know, there aren't many defenders available at the moment.”
