Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of the leaders, but with a growing injury list they have a huge task ahead of them.
Despite securing a 2-1 win against Tottenham at the weekend, Liverpool suffered a major injury to Alexander Isak. The Sweden international scored the Reds’ first goal in the game against Thomas Frank’s side, but was met with a fierce challenge from Micky van de Ven in his movement with the ball.
Instead of being celebrated for his efforts, Isak was seen clutching his leg on the floor, and an MRI was carried out to confirm the true extent of the injury, which could mean a long-term absence from his £125m contract. With Mohamed Salah playing away against Egypt in the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool are currently severely lacking in frontline strength.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, Mirror Football takes a look at some of the decisions that could be made by Arne Slott and co. If the team at Anfield were to challenge for Europe and possibly the title.
Add Seminyo
With Isaac and Kodi Gakpo injured and Salah sidelined, Slott will need to acquire reinforcements to strengthen his attacking options. If they don’t do this and other players get injured, it will make life in the slot and Liverpool infinitely more difficult.
One player who has been consistently linked with the Reds is Bournemouth forwardman Antoine Semenyo, who has been in great form so far.
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Semenyo plays on the left and Salah on the right, but the attacking player will score goals and create chances, so he will likely replace Salah in that regard in the long run. Liverpool are thought to be in competition with Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature, which has a market value of £65m.
Semenyo has also previously spoken of his desire to play as a central striker, and there is a good chance that the Premier League star could be used to replace Isak if Hugo Ekitike is rested or rotated. “I’m destined to be number nine,” the Ghanaian player told YouTube’s AwayDays. “Andoni, coach, please play me as number nine. That’s all I want to say.”
safe guehi
Liverpool must get Marc Guehi to sign on the dotted line. The Crystal Palace defender came catastrophically close to joining Slot’s team on summer deadline day, but the deal didn’t cross the line.
With Manchester City and Bayern Munich both interested in signing Gehi, Liverpool need to move quickly to secure a deal for the former Swansea City centre-half. He has been one of the players in form this season and it may be worth Palace shelling out £30m to ensure Liverpool sign the player.
Of course, they could try to negotiate a contract for him in the summer, but given the injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez, Liverpool just need to bring in another centre-back to steady the ship. Otherwise, they risk a repeat of 2020/2021, when Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams formed a centre-back partnership with several senior defenders absent.
Play Wirtz in his actual position
Florian Wirtz was signed as one of Europe’s most promising central attacking midfielders, but Slott recently started him on the left.
Despite a disappointing start to the season, it would be great for the £116m genius to get another chance, having proved his most effective role as a number 10.
Liverpool have adopted a six-man system in recent years, replacing Fabinho with Ryan Gravenbirch, and both have performed well, allowing the two midfielders in front of them to flourish and explore space.
This would allow Slott to utilize Gravenbert and Dominik Szoboszlai in a flat midfield partnership. They are probably two of the best midfielders at the moment after Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, the latter of whom has put in some great performances of late.
He then returned Wirtz to his natural position behind a potential attacking trio of Antoine Semenyo, Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa.
