Liverpool have a very busy January when the transfer window reopens
Four games into the new Premier League season and we’re already into the first away break of the campaign. bright
In fact, the break came at both good and bad times for Liverpool. On the other hand, it halts the momentum as the Reds are currently third in the table and unbeaten in their last 15 games since last April.
On the other hand, it allows the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold to recover from injury without missing a single club game, while Stefan Bajcetic returns after six months away from the heat of the tournament. a game Anfield breeding ground with Spain under-21s. Meanwhile, the break also gave Ryan Gravenberch two weeks before signing deadline to adapt to his new surroundings from £40m Bayern Munich after turning down an invitation from Netherlands Under-21s to stay on Merseyside. .
Now the dust has settled on Liverpool’s transfer window and the Reds are quietly content with their summer business after Gravenberch helped complete a £150m midfield overhaul. And with the Saudi Arabian market closed on September 7, they managed to fulfill a request from the Middle East to lure Mohamed Salah away. Currently
Although it has been a very busy summer for Liverpool, they may have had a busy January. So with 113 days until the transfer window reopens (sorry, it’s the international break), let’s take a look at what the Reds have to reckon with this winter…
Saudi handover speculation
It’s inevitable, right? Having taken Liverpool goalkeeper Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, it would not be a surprise if the Saudis come to Anfield again in January. After all, they were also interested in Thiago, Luis Diaz, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and of course Salah this summer.
As a result, a whole new wave of transfer speculation is expected on these shores when 2024 rolls around.
In truth, a mid-season exit for Salah is unlikely, and not just because Liverpool have insisted they won’t sell him this summer. Firstly, part of the reason why Al-Ittihad were so keen to sign the Egyptian now was because they will be taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in Jeddah in December.
It would have been a huge statement for Saudi Arabian football to have the game’s tallest Muslim player compete on home soil at this tournament as they hope to upset Man City and be crowned world champions. While the trophy is still in their sights, that Salah ship has sailed this season.
However, this will not stop the speculation as the Saudis will call up Salah again next summer. And while he’s unlikely to move in January (more on that below), that doesn’t mean there isn’t another Liverpool on the Gulf state’s radar. And some may even be allowed to follow in the footsteps of Fabinho and Henderson and move on…
The trio can talk to foreign clubs
Liverpool have three players out of contract next summer, meaning all three could negotiate pre-contract deals with foreign clubs from January.
Thiago and Joel Matip are two such players. Both were linked with exits this summer but ultimately stayed. However, both are expected to continue after their current contracts expire. Free to discuss Bosman’s moves, it cannot be ruled out that the Reds will use their last chance to sell for a fee. Third-choice goalkeeper Adrian is also out of contract and can talk to foreign clubs in January. However,
if recent seasons are anything to go by, his future will likely be decided at the end of the campaign.
The duo goes on an international mission
One of the reasons why Salah is unlikely to be sold in January is that he will captain Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast this winter.
The tournament starts on January 13 and runs until February 11, and it is possible that Liverpool could be without the services of the striker for up to 10 matches.
The 31-year-old could miss at least five games, four of which will come in the Premier League
if the Pharaohs reach the final. The possible progression of the FA Cup and League Cup takes it to eight games, where the previous game is a replay, which brings Salah to 10 games.
Jürgen Klopp is at least well equipped in attack, with Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz all capable of starting on the right when needed. Alternatively, the German could use the opportunity to turn to Harvey Elliott or Ben Doak in attack.
Salah will not be the only Red on international duty in January, however, with Japan captain Wataru Endo competing in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.
The tournament runs from January 12 to February 10, resulting in the midfield missing the same series of matches. Japan have been drawn in Group D with Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam, and their final group game will be played on January 24. His absence would leave teenager Bajcetic as the only recognized midfielder at Klopp’s disposal, although Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister
, Curtis Jones or even Thiago could temporarily fill such a void.
Liverpool currently face a Premier League double at home to Chelsea and away to Arsenal on January 31 and February 3. As a result, they will be watching the Egypt and Japan internationals more and more closely, waiting to see if the pair will return in time for both matches.
Please announce the replacement of Salah? With Salah set for AFCON duty earlier, Liverpool have been linked with signing the striker as his temporary replacement.
Each time, Klopp rejected such an offer.
But could this season be different? Throw in Darwin Nunez as Jota, Gakpo and Diaz and the Reds boast
