Liverpool look set to be busy in the January transfer window despite dropping £400million last summer on a plethora of new talent
It’s Christmas. As well as the festive cheer and family fun, it means one thing for football fans – the transfer window is just around the corner! For Liverpool, it will be an important one.
After 17 games, Arne Slot’s Reds are in fifth place in the Premier League table and for the champions, that isn’t good enough. Despite winning the first five domestic games of the season, Liverpool went on a dismal losing run with only a couple of victories to save some pride in between.
However, in their defence, there has been so much change in the squad it would be unreasonable to assume every new player will click with the rest of the team immediately. However, after spending £400m in the window, the weight of expectation is heavy on Slot and his side.
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Thankfully, they are on a five-game unbeaten streak in the league, but due to a plethora of injuries in important positions, Liverpool may have to go back into the market again in January as a matter of necessity. In this article, the ECHO takes a closer look at the headlines we could be reading next month in a dream scenario.
Isak replacement signed
While scoring against Tottenham Hotspur, Alexander Isak was tackled strongly by Micky van de Ven and left the field gingerly. It was later revealed after a scan that the Swedish international had broken his leg, requiring surgery. It is currently unclear how long Isak will be out but it will certainly be a long time. Therefore, it is of utmost priority that Liverpool get a replacement through the door in January.
Hugo Ekitike is a superb footballer who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, but all the pressure cannot be on his shoulders. With Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations for potentially up to a month, it is imperative the Reds secure some more firepower in the frontline.
Antoine Semenyo had been widely touted as a potential replacement for Isak, with the left-sided Bournemouth player previously revealing his desire to play as a central striker. He has been one of the best players in the league this season and there was set to be a serious fight for his signature in January.
However, his future took a dramatic twist on Tuesday, with Chelsea pulling out of the race to sign him and Manchester City revealed to be his preferred destination, per The Athletic, although no deal is agreed yet. Liverpool must therefore line up an alternative.
Moving for Brentford striker Igor Thiago, who has been in superlative form this season, could be a good idea. He signed for the Bees in summer 2024 and has been exemplary in his second campaign, scoring 11 goals in the league this year – more than Ekitike.
It’s truly a wide addition that the Reds need, though, with Ekitike and Isak the long-term striker options. So expect to see Liverpool secure a deal for one next month.
Guehi pens long-term deal
This deal very nearly got over the line in the summer and despite going for a medical at the club, it fell through at the final hurdle. With Guehi out of contract at the end of the season, Liverpool could, of course, wait and negotiate a free transfer for him.
However, it seems far more likely that we will see the Reds sticking £15million on the table for Crystal Palace and secure their man. Giovanni Leoni sustained a season-ending injury and Joe Gomez is currently out, meaning Liverpool are very light in the back line.
Further, with Ibrahima Konate’s future up in the air ahead of his own contract expiry, it’s imperative Slot bags a new centre-back to provide some clarity for the future of the club’s defensive line.
Guehi is a superb player who is Premier League proven and could be a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk in the years to come. In an ideal world, you will see Liverpool moving for Guehi in January to get their man on a long-term contract.
Midfielder joins the club
Sky Sports claim Liverpool will be accelerating plans for a centre-back, winger and central midfielder in the January window. Currently at their disposal in the middle of the park are Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister. The two aforementioned players have been simply world-class this season, with Jones also playing very well lately.
Liverpool attempted to sign Martin Zubimendi last year, before the Spaniard chose to stay in Sociedad. However, Arsenal then picked him up earlier this summer and got their man. It’s clear Slot wanted a defensive midfielder, but whether he still does seems unlikely given Gravenberch’s superb performances in the No. 6 role.
Whether a new midfielder will provide Gravenberch with competition or allow him to push forward in his more natural position remains to be seen, but it’s clear Liverpool want another middle man.
Two who have been in fantastic form this season are Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, who would likely be in favour of a move to Liverpool. However, it’s hard to imagine either of these two would sign in January.
Another target could be Spurs midfielder Lucas Bergvall, a Premier League-proven player who could hit the ground running with the Reds.
