The January transfer window is quickly coming into view with Liverpool badly needing some reinforcements to lift their season.
Despite having an unusually active summer in the market, the Reds are not done yet.
Along with a centre-back, Liverpool look in need of adding another forward to their ranks as they aim for a better second half of the campaign.
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Federico Chiesa is being disrespected by Arne Slot! How would you use the Italian vs Tottenham?
“It just doesn’t seem like he trusts him [Chiesa]. I know when they lost at Plymouth, Slot was furious with Chiesa.”
Lewis Steele on Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool F.C. looks on during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield
Credit: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
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After selling Luis Diaz over the summer, Arne Slot has not found a consistent answer on the left of the Liverpool attack.
Cody Gakpo has faced criticism for his one-dimensional approach and is likely to be the player most at risk should a new signing arrive. And given what Slot said about his countryman on Friday morning, it seems as though Gakpo could find himself pushed down the pecking order sooner than anticipated.
Cody Gakpo may not play again until January
One of the players most linked with Liverpool ahead of the January window has been Antoine Semenyo.
Having put in an eye-catching beginning to the season with Bournemouth, Liverpool could trigger Semenyo’s £65m release clause. Reports have suggested that the clause will only be active in the first part of the window, meaning a move could happen imminently.
Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
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For Gakpo, this could mean he does not play another game as Liverpool’s first choice left winger. After picking up an injury, Slot confirmed that the 26-year-old will not be in the team for the next two matches.
“He [Gakpo] had a scan that looked promising, so we’re not as worried as we were one or two weeks ago. He might come back earlier than expected, but definitely not tomorrow or next week,” said the Liverpool head coach.
Gakpo himself was confirmed as a Liverpool player before the January window opened in 2023, and should similar happen with Semenyo, he will have an extra fight on his hands when he returns.
Why do Liverpool fans want Antoine Semenyo to replace Cody Gakpo?
Gakpo easily betters him in key metrics!
Cody Gakpo in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Crystal Palace. Antoine Semenyo pictured while playing for Bournemouth in the Premier League against Fulham at the Vitality Stadium.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse/Liverpool FC. Stats correct as of 19/12/25
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Would Antoine Semenyo be an upgrade on Gakpo?
At the moment injury struck, many Liverpool supporters were keen to see Slot take Gakpo out of the team for a period.
Of course, nobody wants that to have been the result of an injury, and Liverpool will want the Netherlands international back fit as soon as possible.
But although he is struggling right now, there is still a question mark over whether Semenyo really is an improvement on Gakpo.
Yes, the Ghanaian has more goals this season – seven to Gakpo’s five – but if you dial things back to when they both joined the Premier League three years ago, their stats are not dissimilar at all.
Semenyo has scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists in 105 matches for Bournemouth, while Gakpo has 46 goals and 18 assists in 149 appearances for Liverpool. Clearly, the Reds’ No. 18 is not having his best period, and it is not all about numbers, but supporters should perhaps be careful what they wish for here.
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