Honestly, if you’ve spent any time on the Anfield forums lately, you’d think the sky was falling. It’s heavy. It’s loud. And it’s mostly focused on one man: Arne Slot. People are calling the football "dull" and "disjointed," especially after that New Year’s Day bore-fest against Leeds. But while the noise is all about the tactics, the real Liverpool FC football news isn't just about a slow build-up or missing the "heavy metal" days of Klopp. It’s about a squad that is quite literally held together by medical tape and hope right now.
The mood shifted again this week. We saw a 4-1 win over Barnsley in the FA Cup, which sounds great on paper, right? 4-1. Comfortable. Job done. But Slot himself was quick to point out that the result and the performance were two different animals. He wasn't happy. You could see it in his face during the post-match presser. He talked about "unlocking a low block" like it’s a puzzle he’s still missing a few pieces for. And he is.
The Right-Back Nightmare Nobody Expected
Let’s talk about Conor Bradley. This is the big one. The Northern Irishman has been the go-to guy ever since Trent Alexander-Arnold made that massive move to Real Madrid last summer. But against Arsenal, it all went wrong. A season-ending knee injury. Surgery is already done—Bradley posted a photo on Instagram from his hospital bed saying the "comeback starts now"—but he’s out until the 2026/27 pre-season.
This leaves Liverpool in a weird spot.
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You’ve got Jeremie Frimpong, who came in for nearly £30 million to replace Trent, but the guy has been struggling with hamstrings all year. He finally looked sharp against Barnsley, even scored, but he’s essentially the only specialist right-back left. If he tweaks something against Burnley this weekend? We are looking at Joe Gomez or maybe moving a midfielder out of position. It’s risky.
Is the Transfer Window Actually Going to Happen?
Everyone is screaming for Marc Guehi. It makes sense. He wants out of Crystal Palace, and he apparently prefers Anfield over Manchester City. But here’s the kicker: Liverpool might just sit on their hands. The word from the insiders is that the club doesn’t want to "panic buy" a short-term fix for Bradley’s injury.
- Mor Talla Ndiaye joined last week from Amitie FC, but he’s 18 and headed for the U21s.
- Owen Beck is back from loan, but he’s a lefty.
- Ibrahima Konate is in a weird contract standoff, with rumors suggesting he might leave on a free when his deal expires.
It’s a gamble. A massive one. Slot is trying to balance a top-four race, a Champions League knockout run, and the FA Cup with a squad that’s missing its best goalscorer. Oh, wait. Yeah. Mo Salah is still at AFCON. Egypt is in the semi-finals against Senegal, so don't expect him back before the Marseille game on January 21 at the earliest.
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The "Dull" Tactics vs. The Reality of Injuries
The fans are restless because the football feels "ponderous." They see Konate passing to Virgil van Dijk, who passes back to Giorgi Mamardashvili, and they want to scream. But look at who is missing. Alexander Isak has a broken leg. Giovanni Leoni has a torn ACL. Bajcetic is out with a hamstring.
When you lose that much verticality and pace, of course the football slows down. Slot isn't trying to be boring; he's trying to be safe. He’s trying to survive January without the wheels falling off completely.
The interesting bit? Hugo Ekitike just matched a goalscoring record set by Sir Kenny Dalglish. He’s been a bright spot when he’s actually fit, but even he has been dealing with muscle soreness. It’s like the training ground has a curse on it lately.
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What Needs to Change Before the Burnley Game
Burnley at Anfield should be a "gimme." But in this league, in 2026, nothing is. If Liverpool doesn't find a way to move the ball faster through the lines, the Anfield crowd is going to get toxic fast. They’ve been spoiled by years of high-octane transitions, and Slot’s "control" looks a lot like "stagnation" when there’s no Salah to bail them out.
Keep an eye on Rio Ngumoha. He’s only 17, but he looked electric against Barnsley before coming off with what Slot hopes was just cramp. If he’s fit, he might be the spark that actually makes this team fun to watch again.
Actionable Insights for the Weeks Ahead:
- Watch the Right-Back Rotation: If Frimpong plays 90 minutes every game, he’ll break. Look for Slot to experiment with a back three or a hybrid role for Joe Gomez to protect the Dutchman.
- Monitor the Guehi Situation: If City makes a formal bid, Liverpool's "wait and see" approach might be forced into a "buy now or lose out" scenario.
- Don't Panic Over the Style: The "heavy metal" football is gone. This is a technical, possession-based era. It’s frustrating when it’s slow, but it’s designed to win titles over 38 games, not just individual highlights.
- Check the AFCON Results: If Egypt wins the semi-final on Wednesday, Salah is gone until the final on January 18. Plan your FPL and your expectations accordingly.