The January window is always a bit of a fever dream for Liverpool fans. One minute you're convinced a world-class center-back is walking through the doors at the AXA Training Centre, and the next, you're refreshing Twitter only to find out Manchester City just swooped in with a cheeky £20 million bid. Honestly, it’s exhausting.
If you've been following the live transfer news Liverpool cycle this week, you know the big talking point is Marc Guehi. It feels like this saga has been going on since the dawn of time. Liverpool had him basically boxed up and ready to ship last summer for £35 million, but Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner blocked it at the eleventh hour. Now? He’s reportedly having a medical at Eastlands.
The Guehi bombshell and the Schlotterbeck pivot
It’s a tough pill to swallow. Watching a primary target head to a direct rival for a lower fee than you offered six months ago is... well, it’s peak January. But why did Liverpool back off?
Word around Anfield is that the club didn't see it as a "market opportunity" anymore. With Guehi’s contract winding down toward the summer, the Reds were seemingly happy to wait. Then Pep Guardiola lost a few defenders to injury against Chelsea, and City moved with the kind of speed that usually catches everyone off guard.
So, where does that leave Arne Slot?
- Nico Schlotterbeck: The Borussia Dortmund man is the name on everyone’s lips right now. Bayern Munich reportedly cooled their interest because he's "too expensive," which usually means there's a gap Liverpool could exploit.
- Givairo Read: Slot loves a Feyenoord reunion. The 19-year-old right-back is being tracked, though mostly for a summer move.
- Mor Talla Ndiaye: He's actually joined already. A young, left-sided center-back from Senegal who’ll likely spend time with the U21s first.
It’s not just about incoming players, though. The squad is actually a bit thin in places.
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The Mohamed Salah drama won't go away
You've probably seen the headlines about Salah's "outburst." After being left on the bench for a few games late last year, he allegedly claimed he was being "thrown under the bus." It’s weird seeing a legend like Mo at odds with the setup, especially after he signed that two-year extension in April 2025.
He’s just coming back from a disappointing AFCON exit with Egypt—Senegal knocked them out again, which has to sting. Now that he’s back on Merseyside, everyone is holding their breath. Will a Saudi Pro League club make a monstrous bid before the February 2 deadline?
The club says he’s staying. The fans want him to stay. But when a player starts talking about relationships breaking down with the manager, things get messy fast.
Who is actually in and who is out?
To keep it simple, let's look at what has actually happened in this 2025-26 cycle. Last summer was absolute madness. The club spent a record-breaking amount of money, bringing in Florian Wirtz for a cool £116 million and Hugo Ekitike for £79 million.
But the departures were just as massive. Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid on a free (well, technically £8 million in compensation) still feels like a fever dream. Replacing a local hero like that is impossible, which is why the pressure on Milos Kerkez—the £40 million arrival from Bournemouth—is so high.
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Current January movements:
- Mor Talla Ndiaye: Signed from Amitie FC.
- Ifeanyi Ndukwe: A deal is reportedly agreed with Austria Vienna for him to join in July.
- James Norris: Made his move to Shelbourne permanent.
- Federico Chiesa: Rumors are swirling about a €20 million return to Italy. He’s struggled to find his rhythm, and Roma or Juve might be calling.
The defensive injury crisis is real
Arne Slot has a bit of a headache. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both out for the season with knee injuries. Alexander Isak, who was a marquee summer signing, is currently sidelined with a fractured fibula.
Basically, the medical room is busier than the scouting department.
This is why the live transfer news Liverpool updates are so focused on defenders. You can't chase a title—or even hold onto fourth place—with a patchwork backline. Virgil van Dijk is still the king of the castle, and he’s staying until 2027, but he needs a partner who isn't always in the treatment room.
What most people get wrong about Liverpool's strategy
People think Liverpool are being "cheap" by not hijacking the Guehi deal. In reality, the recruitment team under the current structure is obsessed with "value." If the data says a player is worth X, they rarely pay Y. It’s frustrating when you see City or Chelsea just throwing cash at problems, but it’s the way the club has run for years.
They’d rather wait for the "right" player—like they did with Virgil years ago—than panic-buy a stop-gap. Whether that works in a season where the injuries are piling up is the big gamble.
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What you should do next
The window shuts on February 2. If you're tracking these moves, keep a very close eye on the Bundesliga. That’s where Liverpool’s scouts are spending most of their time.
Watch the Schlotterbeck situation. If Dortmund shows any sign of wanting to cash in, expect Liverpool to move. Also, keep tabs on the Mo Salah situation post-AFCON. A happy Salah is the difference between a trophy and a "what if" season.
Check the team sheets for the Burnley game this weekend. If Federico Chiesa isn't in the squad, you can bet those Italy rumors have some serious legs.
Stay updated by following official club channels or reputable local journalists like Paul Gorst or James Pearce, as they usually get the "inside track" before the national tabloids start guessing.