It is absolute chaos. If you thought the January window was going to be a quiet one for the Reds, Friday afternoon pretty much blew that theory out of the water. We are officially in the "expect the unexpected" phase of the month, and honestly, Liverpool fans are feeling a bit of whiplash right now.
The Marc Guehi Mess: What Really Happened?
The big story. The one that’s got everyone on social media losing their minds. Marc Guehi is set to join Manchester City for £20m. Yes, you read that right. Twenty million.
If that number feels like a slap in the face, it's because it sort of is. Remember back in September? Liverpool had a £35m deal basically signed, sealed, and almost delivered on deadline day. Then Crystal Palace pulled the plug because they couldn't find a replacement in time. Fast forward to today, and Pep Guardiola has swooped in to grab the England international for nearly half that price because Guehi’s contract is ticking down and Palace are desperate.
Why didn't Liverpool move? That's the question everyone is screaming. Reports from the Echo and Empire of the Kop suggest Arne Slot and the recruitment team decided to pivot. They aren't interested in a bidding war or matching the reported £300,000-a-week wages City are offering. It feels like a massive gamble, especially with the current state of the backline.
The Injury Crisis is Getting Serious
Arne Slot is putting on a brave face, but the numbers don't lie. He has six fit senior defenders. That's it.
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The news on Conor Bradley is devastating. He’s out for the season after surgery on a nasty knee injury picked up against Arsenal. It isn't an ACL, which is the only silver lining, but he won't be seen again until July. Combine that with Giovanni Leoni being out for the year and the fact that Alexander Isak is currently sidelined with a fractured fibula, and you start to see why the fans are getting twitchy about the lack of arrivals.
Slot's press conference ahead of the Burnley game was classic "Arne." He said everyone is "aligned" on the challenges, but then hit us with the "that’s not to say we are going to act." It's frustrating. It's pragmatic. It's very Liverpool.
Current Injury List at Anfield:
- Conor Bradley: Out for season (Knee)
- Giovanni Leoni: Out for season (ACL)
- Alexander Isak: Expected back late March (Broken leg/Ankle)
- Stefan Bajcetic: Aiming for February (Hamstring setbacks)
- Rio Ngumoha: Tightness/Cramp, might feature against Burnley or Marseille
Liverpool News and Transfers Live: The Mo Salah Ripple Effect
While the defense is a worry, the "Return of the King" is changing the landscape in the final third. Egypt's AFCON journey is wrapping up—they face Nigeria in the third-place playoff today—and Salah is expected back at the AXA Training Centre imminently.
His return is more than just getting our top scorer back. It basically unlocks the exit door for Federico Chiesa. The Italian hasn't really settled under Slot and is reportedly desperate for a return to Serie A. Liverpool were holding onto him as cover because of the Isak injury, but with Salah coming back, they might actually take the €20m on the table and let him go.
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It feels like a bit of a "one in, one out" situation, which usually doesn't go down well with the "spend some money" crowd on Twitter.
Is There a Plan B?
With Guehi off the table, the names are starting to swirl. Nico Schlotterbeck from Borussia Dortmund is the big one. Bayern Munich apparently cooled their interest because he's too expensive, which theoretically leaves the door open for Liverpool.
Then there's the youth recruitment. We already signed Mor Talla Ndiaye from Senegal this month, and there’s heavy talk about Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna. But let's be real: these are "one for the future" signings. They don't help Virgil van Dijk keep a clean sheet against Burnley on Saturday.
The Tactical Shift: Boring or Brilliant?
There’s been a lot of chatter about Liverpool becoming "boring" under Slot. We aren't the heavy-metal, 4-3-3 chaos machine we were under Klopp. Slot has been playing four central midfielders lately—Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and Jones. It’s more controlled. More Dutch.
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The results? An 11-game unbeaten run. It isn't always pretty, and the goals have dried up a bit (projected to hit 61 this season vs 86 last year), but they aren't losing. Slot is essentially building a bunker until his stars get healthy.
What Needs to Happen Next
If you are following the Liverpool news and transfers live updates, here is the reality of the next 14 days.
The club needs to decide if they are okay with a "make do and mend" approach. Missing out on Guehi for £20m will look like a masterstroke if they land a world-class center-back in the summer, but it will look like a disaster if Ibrahima Konate picks up a knock in February.
Actionable Insights for the Window:
- Monitor the Chiesa Situation: If he leaves, watch for a late move for a versatile forward like RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, though his £86m price tag is a huge hurdle.
- Watch the Schlotterbeck Developments: If Dortmund show any signs of flickering on the price, Liverpool might actually strike.
- Salah's Contract: Amidst the transfer talk, don't forget Salah and Van Dijk are still in talks. A mid-window announcement of a renewal would do more for morale than a panic buy.
Stay locked in. This window is finally starting to move, even if it isn't in the direction most fans expected.
Next Steps for LFC Supporters:
Keep a close eye on the team sheet for the Burnley match; Slot's choice at right-back will tell us exactly how much he trusts the current squad depth. Check the official club channels for Mohamed Salah’s return flight details, as he could be fast-tracked for the Marseille clash. Finally, watch for any movement on the Federico Chiesa front over the next 48 hours—an exit there almost certainly signals a late incoming or a total reliance on the returning "old guard."