Liverpool are yet to add a first-team player to their ranks in the January transfer window
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Arne Slot's time to sign new players this month is running out(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot has less than a fortnight to strengthen his Liverpool squad before the battle for Champions League qualification intensifies. The Reds have occupied fourth spot in the Premier League table for five consecutive weeks, yet their top-four position at the end of the campaign remains far from guaranteed.
A mere five points divide the reigning champions from 11th-placed Fulham. This situation ensures the scramble for European competition next season stays fierce across the division.
Liverpool's 1-1 stalemate with Burnley last weekend left Slot's team with a fourth consecutive league draw in another lacklustre display that prompted boos from frustrated Anfield supporters at the final whistle.
Whether the club will pursue January reinforcements before the transfer window closes remains unclear as we examines the latest transfer speculation emerging from Merseyside.
Turning down £40m opportunity
The Reds have faced numerous challenges this campaign, with midfield proving particularly problematic. The poor form of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch means two-thirds of last season's title-winning midfield engine currently appear shadows of their former selves.
Joao Gomes gives instruction
Joao Gomes reportedly has a price tag of £40million(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Reports connecting Slot's team to potential signings have been numerous, with Wolves' Joao Gomes reportedly catching their attention. The Black Country outfit are increasingly likely relegation candidates, having secured just one victory this campaign, but the Brazilian midfielder is understood to have multiple admirers, including Manchester United.
Nevertheless, according to TEAMtalk, the Reds are prepared to abandon a potential move for the 24-year-old, with Wolves reportedly valuing the midfielder at £40million.
Manager's transfer regret
Highly-regarded Ifeanyi Ndukwe is poised to join Liverpool after the Premier League side outpaced Inter Milan in pursuing the Austrian youngster's services. The 17-year-old will not complete his switch to England until the summer, however.
Austria Under-18s boss Hermann Stadler expressed his joy for the defender, telling LAOLA1: "I'm extremely happy for Ify, he deserves it because he has made enormous progress in the last year. In seven games (at the World Cup) he delivered a top performance in every single one.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe of Austria celebrate after the team's victory in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Round of 16 match between Austria and England at Aspire Academy
Ifeanyi Ndukwe is set to join Liverpool at the end of the season(Image: 2025 FIFA)
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"Just look at the number of goals we conceded – we only conceded two, one in the final and one against New Zealand. That speaks volumes about his defensive work."
However, he acknowledged he would have preferred the youngster to stay in Austria to continue developing before such a significant transfer.
He said: "He received this offer from Liverpool partly because of the World Cup. He had also previously received an offer from Inter Milan, which, for whatever reason, was not finalised. I'm very happy that he's signed with a top club.
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"Personally, I think – and this is just my personal opinion, it doesn't mean it's right – it might have been good for him to stay at Austria for another year. He could learn alongside an experienced player like (Aleksandar) Dragovic and perhaps then go abroad at 18 or 19.
"He has no guarantee that he'll make it big, neither at Austria nor at Liverpool. We'll know more in two or three years. But I believe he has the potential to become a truly great centre-back."