Arne Slot and Liverpool have been the target of criticism before the January transfer window has even opened
Liverpool's Dutch head coach Arne Slot gestures during the English Premier League football match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium
Arne Slot has been urged to bolster Liverpool's squad in the January transfer window
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With the January transfer window just around the corner, Liverpool have been identified as a team that should be active in the market. The absence of attacking options due to Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak being unavailable has furthered calls for Arne Slot to enhance his forward line.
Injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have also left the Dutch manager short on defensive cover, making the failure to secure Marc Guehi's transfer on summer deadline day even more regrettable. Winter signings could bolster the Reds' pursuit of Champions League qualification in what has been an inconsistent season for most of the Premier League campaign so far.
While Slot has faced criticism for his apparent decision on one specific January transfer, one of his squad has again been linked with a potential departure from Anfield. We examine the biggest stories surrounding the reigning champions.
January disappointment
With Salah away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and Isak sidelined with a broken leg, it was widely assumed that the Reds would quickly enter the January transfer window seeking attacking reinforcements.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield over the past few months, and it seems that the 25-year-old's future is set for north-west England - but not Merseyside.
Sky Sports reports that the Ghana international is nearing a £65million transfer to Manchester City next month, a development that has irked former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant. Speaking on talkSPORT, he expressed his frustration: "As a Liverpool fan, I'm really disappointed on the back of Isak getting injured, maybe out for the season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 2: Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes of Manchester City put Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth under pressure during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth at Etihad Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Semenyo looks set to swap Bournemouth for Man City
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"Salah being in AFCON and we already know the relationship with him, is he going to be leaving? So, for £65million in this day and age, a player of Antoine Semenyo's quality, you'd say it's kind of a bargain."
Pennant labelled Liverpool's apparent decision not to join the race for Semenyo as "stupid", explaining: "And for them to not be in the conversation or say, 'We're interested as well,' and approach Bournemouth on the back of what I've mentioned, is really stupid. He could be a player who could replace Salah long-term as well.
"So when Salah does decide to leave, if it's in January or at the end of the season, you've got someone who is Premier League proven, which is absolutely vital. We've seen players come over to this league and they can't really cut it, but you know that he can."
Juventus target Chiesa
Liverpool's recent 2-1 victory over Wolves saw Italian winger Federico Chiesa make his first Premier League start at Anfield. It goes without saying that since signing for the club in the summer of 2024, Chiesa hasn't had many chances from Arne Slot to showcase his talent.
Despite Chiesa's infrequent starts, the 29-year-old's competitive drive remains strong, as evidenced by his reaction to being initially left out of Liverpool's Champions League group stage squad earlier this season.
Following Leoni's ACL injury, he was included in the squad, but Slot disclosed that Chiesa "wasn't happy" when first informed of his exclusion. The Italian has been open about his affection for Merseyside, but last summer he didn't rule out a potential return to his former club Juventus.
Federico Chiesa of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield
Federico Chiesa admitted he wouldn't rule out an Anfield exit(Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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"Never say never," Chiesa told Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I still love the club and the fans." Now, Chiesa is once again rumoured to be considering a move back to Turin next month due to limited opportunities at Anfield.
A report in La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests he is among several targets under consideration. Last year, he revealed to Corriere dello Sport that he had wanted to stay in Turin but was pushed out by then-manager Thiago Motta. "Motta was clear with me: I don't need you, find a team," he explained.
"I told him I was ready to fight, to put myself to the test because I wanted to stay and show that I was still useful to Juventus. But there was nothing I could do. It's okay, it was his choice."
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