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Liverpool injuries shape a cautious January outlook
Liverpool’s January plans have been nudged, but not derailed, by a bruising run of injuries that underline how thin margins can be for champions. As reported by The Athletic, Conor Bradley’s season ending knee injury against Arsenal arrived as another sharp reminder that squad depth, however carefully curated, can be tested in an instant. Add that to Giovanni Leoni’s torn ACL on debut and the absence of record signing Alexander Isak following surgery on a broken leg, and Arne Slot’s options suddenly look stretched in key areas.
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Yet there is no sense of panic. Liverpool’s response so far has been measured, even philosophical. The club have moved decisively at academy level, securing Mor Talla Ndiaye from Amitie for around £1million, while lining up Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Noah Adekoya to strengthen Rob Page’s under 21s group. These are investments in potential rather than short term fixes, a reminder that Liverpool’s recruitment often thinks in seasons rather than weeks.
Defensive depth under scrutiny
Bradley’s injury naturally sharpens the focus on defence. Slot’s senior cover at centre back effectively rests on Joe Gomez behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, a precarious sounding equation on paper. However, flexibility has long been part of Liverpool’s thinking. Jeremie Frimpong, Gomez and Calvin Ramsay can all operate at right back, while Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo have filled in there before. It is not ideal, but it is functional, and that distinction matters.
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Marc Guehi interest remains strategic
Speculation around Marc Guehi has resurfaced, but The Athletic are clear that a January move remains unlikely. Liverpool were close to signing the England international for £35million last summer before Crystal Palace “pulled the plug at the 11th hour”. Since then, the expectation internally has been to wait until his contract expires in June. A winter deal would demand not only a significant fee to Palace but also a substantial signing on payment for Guehi, given his leverage as a near free agent. In that context, restraint feels logical rather than timid.
Outgoings unlikely beyond loans
Talk of departures has also been dampened. Juventus may want Federico Chiesa on loan, but Liverpool have little interest in weakening their forward line, especially with Isak sidelined and Ekitike only recently back from injury. Chiesa has made 21 appearances this season, and any discussion would require “a significant permanent offer” and a clear replacement. For now, movement is expected to be confined to youngsters seeking minutes elsewhere, with Amara Nallo among those likely to head out.
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From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report reads like a lesson in calm governance. Injuries always provoke anxiety, particularly when they strike defenders, but there is reassurance in how little they seem to have altered the club’s thinking. The temptation in January is always to overreact, to chase solutions that look neat in the short term but awkward in the long run. Liverpool appear determined not to fall into that trap.
The Guehi situation is a good example. Fans understandably like the idea of securing a proven Premier League defender now, especially one with leadership qualities. Yet paying a premium for a player with five months left on his contract feels at odds with the discipline that has underpinned recent success. Waiting until summer, even at the risk of competition, aligns better with how Liverpool usually operate.
There is also quiet confidence in the versatility of the squad. Gomez’s reliability as cover is often undervalued, and Slot’s willingness to trust midfielders in defensive roles suggests a coach comfortable with adaptation. The academy signings might not help this season, but they reinforce the sense of continuity, that Liverpool are always building towards the next version of themselves.
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