The January transfer window appeared to come at a good time for an injury-hit Liverpool, although it seems multiple moves will be pushed back to the summer
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) shake hands with player Liverpool's Conor Bradley after being substituted off during the Premier League match
Arne Slot won't be able to call on Conor Bradley for months(Image: PA)
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Despite a growing injury list, Liverpool supporters may need to brace themselves for a quiet January transfer window. Conor Bradley is the latest casualty with a season-ending knee injury sustained against Arsenal, while Rio Ngumoha's early exit against Barnsley is likely just cramp, according to Reds manager Arne Slot.
Alexander Isak remains sidelined with a leg fracture and Mohamed Salah is still on Africa Cup of Nations duty due to Egypt's progression to the semi-finals, where they face Senegal on Wednesday. Despite their mounting absences, the Reds have maintained an 11-game unbeaten run across all competitions.
However, with only two weeks left in the transfer window, news has emerged regarding the potential departure of one of Liverpool's key players and the transfer strategy surrounding Bradley's injury. We provide an update on the latest transfer news involving the current Premier League champions.
Fan favourite's future hangs in the balance
Liverpool fans might have hoped that last season's transfer dramas involving Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold were a one-off, but a similar situation has arisen this year with Ibrahima Konate.
The Frenchman's contract at Anfield is due to expire at the end of the season, making the defender eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of the Premier League.
Regrettably for Liverpool supporters hoping the 26-year-old will prolong his Merseyside tenure, The Athletic reports that contract talks between the player and the club have yet to yield any significant progress.
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool
The Frenchman has yet to agree terms on a new contract(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Liverpool are reported to have put forward three contract offers so far, but with terms still not agreed upon, Konate appears to be on his way out after five years at the club. His hometown team Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have been linked with the French international in recent months.
The report also suggests that Liverpool will concentrate on signing a centre-back in the summer, effectively ruling out a January move for long-standing target Marc Guehi, who is thought to be happy to delay any decision on his future until his Crystal Palace contract expires at season's end.
Conor Bradley replacement plan clear
The Northern Ireland captain's injury-riddled season reached rock bottom last week at the Emirates Stadium when he sustained a severe knee injury in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal.
It was later confirmed that the 22-year-old would miss the rest of the season due to damage to his bone and ligaments. Bradley's absence only adds to the mounting injury list that Slot has to grapple with in the second half of the campaign.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 8: Conor Bradley of Liverpool is treated for injury as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes of Arsenal look on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Conor Bradley will not feature for the rest of the season(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Even before Bradley's season was cut short by his knee injury, along with Giovanni Leoni's ACL setback and the uncertain future of Konate, the Reds were already in need of defensive reinforcements.
However, The Athletic reports that the club will not approve a permanent January signing to replace Bradley. The Reds are optimistic that the full-back will return to training in time for pre-season this summer, with Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai offering cover in the interim.
Signing Borussia Dortmund right-back Julian Ryerson has therefore been ruled out by Sky Sports, but the possibility of a loan arrival could yet come to fruition.