An alternative transfer window for Liverpool could have resulted in huge incomings and outgoings
Mohamed Salah on the bench at Liverpool
Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield was previously in peril(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool have improved their defensive options during the January transfer window - but it won't help them for the rest of the season. The reigning Premier League champions have been in desperate need of reinforcements across their backline due to a growing injury list.
Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez are all sidelined with Arne Slot having to navigate three competitions with a severely weakened defence. While it looked like they were set to sign Lutsharel Geertruida on loan from Sunderland, a deal for the Dutchman collapsed on Sunday evening.
However, a reprieve was announced several hours later as Liverpool beat out Chelsea to agree a deal for Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old centre back is regarded as one of the best defensive talents in Europe and demonstrates quite the coup for Slot's side.
The only slight hitch, if there were one, is the fact that Jacquet will be arriving at Anfield in the summer with the Ligue 1 side unwilling to part ways with the Frenchman mid-season. While the agreement to sign the youngster doesn't necessarily solve the defensive issues that currently plague Liverpool, it's not the worst outcome that could have emerged in the winter window.
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With that in mind, ECHO Sport analyses what an alternate transfer window could have looked like for the Merseyside giants if certain decisions had been made differently...
Since the return of Mohamed Salah from Africa Cup of Nations duty, he's started every game across all competitions for the club.
His consistent selection is certainly a far cry from the situation that led him to blast the club and Slot after the Reds' 3-3 draw against Leeds United in December. The clash at Elland Road marked the third consecutive game the Egyptian had been left on the bench.
Mohamed Salah puts his hands on his waist
Mo Salah took aim at Liverpool and Arne Slot last month(Image: Getty Images)
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Fuming at his demotion, Salah accused the club of 'throwing him under the bus' and claimed he had no relationship with Slot. While the situation was eventually patched up, an easy solution could have been to ship Salah off, given the 33-year-old himself poured doubt on whether he'd still be a Liverpool player come 2026.
The Saudi Pro League's interest in Salah is well-documented and it's likely they would have stepped up to the plate with a monstrous offer if the Reds were willing to end their eight-year association with one of the greatest players to ever grace the club.
While an attacking signing in the event of Salah's departure would be unlikely, the Reds' need for central defensive options means they could have re-joined the race for Marc Guehi. It was four months ago on deadline day when a move for the Manchester City star was inches away from being completed.
Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Marc Guehi during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Liverpool were inches away from signing Marc Guehi last summer(Image: Getty Images)
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The £35million transfer collapsed but with Palace keen to gain a transfer fee for him before letting him go as a free agent in the summer, Liverpool may have decided to rival City for his signature. Had this scenario played out, the fact that Guehi had previously agreed to join Liverpool at the end of the summer window suggest beating City to his signature would have been achievable.
Guehi's arrival would have certainly driven competition with Ibrahima Konate's place in the team in peril given how disappointing much of his campaign has been. Even with missing out on the England international, agreeing a deal for Jacquet has provided a happy end to what has been a very uneventful window.
Jeremy Jacquet training
Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet is closing in on a move to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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However, a reality does exist where Liverpool missed out on the Frenchman. Jacquet has been a strong target for Chelsea, while Arsenal and Manchester United held long-term interest in the player. The Blues held talks with Jacquet's club Rennes last month, suggesting they could have beaten Liverpool to his signature.
It wouldn't have been the first time a player chose the Blues over the Reds, with Moises Caicedo the latest to do so back in 2023. The lure of residing in London, playing under a manager in Liam Rosenior who has experience in Ligue 1 and the French contingent at Stamford Bridge could very well have been the difference.
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