Liverpool could become major players in the January transfer market after Alexander Isak’s serious injury ruled him out for several months.
Arne Slot can at least lean on Hugo Ekitike, with the French forward settling quickly to life in the Premier League.
“It’s going to be a long injury, for a couple of months,” Slot said of Isak, who joined the Reds from Newcastle for £125m in the summer and has scored just three goals in 16 appearances in all competitions. “It’s a big disappointment for him and, as a result, for us.”
But reinforcements could come to boost the Reds after a testing first half of the season.
Here are the latest stories surrounding the transfer market at Anfield:
Antoine Semenyo has been one of the players of the season for Bournemouth and is the main name strongly attached to the Reds so far ahead of next month’s window opening. The 25-year-old is also versatile, with an ability to play across the front line, and has scored eight goals and assisted three more in just 16 Premier League appearances this term under Andoni Iraola.
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has reiterated his belief that if the Reds are interested in Semenyo, then he believes the player will move to Anfield, with the club "big admirers" of him after considering a move previously.
Though The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports Manchester City are the player’s preference, with Manchester United having pushed hard and Chelsea also registering an interest previously before reportedly backing out. Fabrizio Romano adds that Liverpool are merely “monitoring”, with the player’s future likely to be settled in the coming days, given the £65m release clause is only available until 10 January.
Romano adds that Liverpool are “open” to strengthening the squad next month, though that is unlikely to involve Marc Guehi, having had a bid accepted before the move collapsed late in the window last summer.
The Crystal Palace star is likely to wait until next summer for a move on a free transfer, though Liverpool will still be in the race with Bayern Munich are also strongly linked.
Mohamed Salah’s future will also need to be settled, though the Egypt star will complete his time at the Afcon 2025 with the Pharaohs before returning to Anfield next month.
Brentford forward Igor Thiago, after his blazing start to the season with the Bees with 11 goals in 17 Premier League games, and PSG’s Bradley Barcola are names that have floated around recent gossip columns, though neither move has accelerated or gathered pace just yet.
While Harvey Elliott, currently struggling for game time on loan at Aston Villa, is unlikely to return to Anfield after Slot’s concise summary of the Reds’s stance.
“No, Harvey is an Aston Villa player and he is supposed to be going there for a season. So, questions about him, the best thing to ask is Aston Villa - they are doing really well, by the way.”
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Andoni Iraola bites back amid heightened speculation of January exit for Antoine Semenyo
Arne Slot gives update on Liverpool’s January plans after Alexander Isak injury
Arne Slot: Top-four challenge is ‘special’ with Liverpool’s set-piece record
Wednesday’s briefing: Nightmare for Lacroix while Slot and Frank clash
Thomas Frank leaps to defence of Micky van de Ven over Alexander Isak tackle
