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With the January transfer window now complete, the Reds have once again kept activity to a minimum — but that's not an entirely bad thing.

From the limited evidence that has reached the public domain, it's possible to judge Hughes in more or less any way you like.

Undeniably dealt a tough hand, it's still a little alarming from the outside that Hughes has been unable to reach agreements with any of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

But again, that assessment is more or less in limbo until the summer at the earliest.

There is still time to agree extensions with the trio, and the waiting game may even pay dividends for the club — in Salah's case, it is increasingly looking like a straight choice between Liverpool and Al-Hilal, so maybe Hughes will be getting celebrated in a few months' time for his unblinking brinkmanship.

Even if new deals are not signed, perhaps he and the club will ultimately be praised for their ruthless streak, should time make a mockery of the demands being made by two players now well into their 30s, and a full-back who no longer seems quite so foundational to the team in Slot's setup.

But one thing we do now know is that Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold will still be Liverpool players for the remainder of the season.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

But though Liverpool has chosen not to strenghen this month, it is vital that the squad has not been made weaker either.

Slot admitted after the Bournemouth win that having a player like Salah certainly helps in tight games against quality opponents