Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson could be among Arne Slot's targets for Liverpool in the January transfer window | National World / Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Borussia Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson could be among Arne Slot's targets for Liverpool in the January transfer window | National World / Getty Images | National World / Getty Images
Liverpool need a big January transfer window to turn around their Premier League and Champions League fortunes
After Liverpool’s summer transfer window appeared to set them up for a potential dynasty in English and European football, just a few months later it looks like they’ll need a January of lavish spending to get them back on track to simply qualify for the Champions League, let alone challenge for the Premier League.
Whether that is next month or in the summer remains to be seen but what is certain is Liverpool must address their current shortcomings before next Christmas rolls around. Without wishing to be too dramatic, these kind of structural problems and a failure to regenerate is what set Manchester United spiralling from a run of 13 Premier Leagues in 21 seasons to a title drought of 13 years and counting so Liverpool can’t afford to be complacent.
While we’re loath to fully count out the Egyptian King, it appears Liverpool need to fast-track their plans to replace Mohamed Salah and require reinforcements in defence and midfield, so who could they target?
Which players could Liverpool sign in January?
Antoine Semenyo - If Liverpool want their next Salah, Semenyo could well be the best player to chase - though he won’t come cheap. Bournemouth are reportedly extremely reluctant to sell in January but have set a £75m price tag for Semenyo in the summer transfer window. It’s not hard to see why given the way Semenyo has been terrorising Premier League defences in the last 12 months, as he possesses both the scoring and creative threat to help turn Liverpool’s fortunes around.
Elliot Anderson - Another player who will be key to Anfield revival, but from midfield instead of attack. Anderson’s ability to control a game in and out of possession has been something Liverpool have sorely lacked this season.
Pablo Barrios - Another complete midfielder, though Barrios has proven himself in Spain rather than the Premier League. Barrios’ ability to effectively push his side up-field even against a high press has earned comparisons with Martin Zubimendi, who’s not fared too badly jumping from Iberia to England.
Marc Guehi - How much of Liverpool’s struggles in the past months would’ve been negated if Guehi had completed his deadline day signing at Anfield? The thought is sure to have crossed Arne Slot’s mind once or twice since the end of August, as Liverpool have been ripped open time and time again on the ground - most notably in the Champions League against PSG.
Nico Schlotterback - Perhaps a more all-star (and more expensive option) to Guehi, the German international would similarly shore up Liverpool with and without the ball. He’d also offer more protection from set-pieces which have been a huge issue for Slot this campaign, with aerial battles the weakest part of Guehi’s game.
Iliman Ndiaye - If Liverpool are going to go down, they can at least drag their Merseyside rivals down with them, right? Ndiaye would be another player who could replace Salah’s goal-scoring impact from the wing, and as one of the most aesthetic footballer in England, seeing him link up with Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak and the rest of Liverpool’s superstars if they can get them firing would be a joy to watch.
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