Liverpool have been left reeling after the prognosis from Alexander Isak's lower leg injury revealed a fractured fibula, thus throwing the record signing into the infirmary for the next couple of months.
Isak, 26, has struggled since joining from Newcastle United for a British record £125m fee, only bagging twice in the Premier League. His struggles have very much been in line with Arne Slot's side's wider woes.
Now, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes are gearing up for a busy winter window, with numerous positions being juggled.
Where Liverpool plan to strengthen next month
It is generally understood within journalistic circles that Manchester City and Manchester United lead the race for Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. However, Liverpool need only raise their intrigue to win the race, as Sky Sports suggest.
Isak's injury may well accelerate FSG's attack-focused plans at Anfield, but signing a defender is arguably a more pressing concern, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate both flattering to deceive this term - the latter, who is out of contract next summer, especially so.
That's why Liverpool must sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who Sky Sports have recently confirmed remains on the club's radar.
Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all keen, but the Eagles believe Liverpool are the only club questing for his signature this January.
Marc-Guehi-Crystal-Palace
While Guehi is out of contract at the end of the season, competition for his signature is thick, and it might be worthwhile for Liverpool to pay a premium and bring him over this winter.
What Marc Guehi would bring to Liverpool
Guehi has a wealth of Premier League experience, and he's made headway in European and international endeavours over the past year too. Moreover, the 25-year-old has played an instrumental part in winning the FA Cup and Community Shield under Oliver Glasner's wing.
marc-guehi-crystal-palace
This is the kind of player Slot needs to inculcate into Liverpool's system. He is a leader, fantastic on the ball and as cool-headed as they come.
His form this season has wildly contrasted with that of Konate, who has been at the core of much of Liverpool's defensive issues - and there have been many defensive problems this season.
Premier League 25/26 - Guehi vs Konate
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals + assists
Clean sheets
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Chances created*
Recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels (won)*
Errors
Data via Sofascore
His technical command surpasses that of Konate, and Guehi's range of passing would add dimensions to Liverpool's build-up, stunted and imbalanced at times this season. He's also an excellent protector, hailed by Palace correspondent Bobby Manzi for being a "monster in defence".
As per FBref, the Three Lions star actually ranks among the top 4% of Premier League defenders this season for shot-creating actions, as well as the top 8% for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90.
Shot-creating actions are pieces of play that lead to a shot. These include moments such as a pass, take-on or foul being drawn.
This emphasises Guehi's dynamism, and indeed how he would help reshape Liverpool's struggling backline. In this, he would become a more important feature of Slot's set-up than Semenyo.
That is not to Semenyo's discredit - he's been hailed by pundit Chris Waddle as being "the best winger in the country" this season, after all - but rather, a testament to Guehi's quality, having hardened into an elite centre-half at the top of their game over the past year.
Liverpool have picked up the pace over December, and they are six games undefeated in the Premier League. There's no question that Isak's injury has exacerbated the need for an attacking addition such as Semenyo, but landing Guehi is arguably more important.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi
The England international has played at a higher level than both Van Dijk and Konate this season, and an injury blow to either of those defenders would be detrimental to a Liverpool side whose resurgent foundations stand atop thin ice.
Naby Keita in action for Liverpool. Related
[Liverpool star looked like "the best player in the world", now he's Keita 2.0](https://www.footballfancast.com/slot-has-found-the-new-naby-keita-in-alexander-isak/ "Liverpool star looked like "the best player in the world", now he's Keita 2.0")
One of Liverpool's superstars has encountered a frustrating number of obstacles on Merseyside.