Liverpool have needs to address in the wake of several injuries, but a report has claimed that the club “will likely stick” with what Arne Slot has available to him.
The transfer window reopens on January 1, and Liverpool have been expected to be an active participant after injuries at centre-back and the forward line.
Arne Slot currently has two fit senior centre-backs and only Hugo Ekitike as a recognised No. 9 heading into the new year, and the clamour for reinforcements will only grow.
However, the Athletic‘s James Pearce and Gregg Evans report that Liverpool “are planning for a quiet month” despite their injuries and the uncertainty in the forward line.
They add that “club sources have indicated there will not be a flurry of activity in January,” with short-term solutions unlikely to be considered as they focus on the bigger picture.
They caveat that with the line that “there may still be room for an addition” and that the club have “the freedom to react” if needed, but that they are “likely” to stick with the current squad.
It will not be what supporters want to hear, especially as there is still everything to play for in Europe.
Liverpool still interested in Marc Guehi
The Crystal Palace captain remains of interest to Liverpool after the collapse of his deadline-day move, with this being the last window in which the Eagles can recoup a fee for the centre-back.
But the Athletic report that Liverpool do not expect Palace to open the door to a sale, and it is uncertain if Guehi would want to leave in advance of becoming a free agent in the summer.
Liverpool have the capabilities to react, even if Slot insisted the club do not have “unlimited money,” having committed the funds for Guehi before the £35 million transfer collapsed late.
His arrival would be a big boost for the Reds, considering only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the current fit senior centre-back options, and even the latter missed training on Tuesday.
Liverpool’s forward line plans
The club “admire” Bournemouth‘s Antoine Semenyo, who has a preference to join Man City, but with Mo Salah not expected to depart in January, “there wouldn’t be a space in the squad to fill.”
Considering Alexander Isak‘s long-term injury and Cody Gakpo‘s recent fitness issues, Salah remains more valuable at Anfield and will return to Merseyside after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool’s recruitment staff, however, are described as “assessing ‘market opportunities’, with several young players on their radar,” which could include 17-year-old attacking midfielder Gabriel Mec.
The teenager was recently linked after claims of an offer in the region of £13 million from the Reds.
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