Arne Slot has now had plenty of time to assess his Liverpool squad heading into the January transfer window

Ibrahima Konate’s injury could force Liverpool into signing another central defender during the January transfer window(Image: 2024 DeFodi Images)

Liverpool are currently riding the crest of a wave and sit top of the Premier League and Champions League tables. The summer’s only arrival, though, Federico Chiesa, has made just three appearances across all competitions after an injury-affected start to life at Anfield.

We already know Giorgi Mamardashvili will sign in the summer after the Reds agreed to that deal in August. But what about January?

Liverpool have dealt well with their injury issues due to the squad depth head coach Arne Slot has at his disposal. That, though, could all change over the coming weeks. What areas of the squad still need addressing, if any? Our writers have had their say.

James Quinlan

The answer to this question should be fairly obvious, but let us go through a process of elimination…

When Federico Chiesa is back and available for squad selection, Liverpool have six high-quality attackers to choose from. Add to that Jayden Danns, Ben Doak (although out on loan at Middlesbrough) and Rio Ngumoha waiting in the wings, the front seems well-covered for the present and future.

The midfield underwent a £142m rebuild in 2023 with four faces added to the existing options. There may be a valid reason to say an extra defence-minded option would still be a comforting prospect, but they are certainly covered in this area too.

The goalkeeping department has proven itself more than capable this season, whether it be Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher or Vitezslav Jaros stepping up. Giorgi Mamardashvili will soon be arriving too.

So that just leaves the defence. I would suggest a central defender is of most desperate need considering the fact one was last signed three-and-a-half years ago now, and Ibrahima Konate’s latest injury is running the Reds’ choices thin.

The only way that opinion changes is if Andy Robertson gets injured alongside Kostas Tsimikas; then plans for a long-term replacement for the Scotsman need to be bumped up the order of priorities.

Josh Holland

The attack at Arne Slot’s disposal is unmatched at any other club in Europe. Minus Real Madrid’s Galactico attack, which flopped at Anfield last week, Liverpool are strong in the final third.

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In midfield, despite the superb turnaround of Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones this season, there is still reason to consider further investment. Martin Zubimendi is still available, but a big transfer feels unlikely in January.

However, elite teams have world-class quality in defence behind the first-choice. News of Konate’s injury does mean Slot is quite short on his ideal partner to Van Dijk.

Sporting CP duo Ousmane Diomande and Goncalo Inacio are options, while the option of investing in one of the most promising centre-backs, like Giorgio Scalvini, would be a smart piece of business.

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Tom Coley

Liverpool have a deep squad that is so far holding up under the pressures of European and Premier League football. There isn’t too much more to do to it.

However, someone to cover for Ibrahima Konate is probably the most necessary. Joe Gomez is a strong utility option but may well also be asked to play in place of Andy Robertson or Trent Alexander-Arnold at times depending on the fitness of Conor Bradley and Konstantinos Tsimikas.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool went for Levi Colwill again in the summer, but any move for him is extremely unlikely, especially in January. Marc Guehi is a player to watch as he enters the final 18 months of his contract at Crystal Palace. Liverpool are in safe hands, though, and once more could easily get past without actually doing much (if any) business at all.

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Kieran Horn

With Ibrahima Konate recently joining the injury list, Arne Slot could be facing somewhat of a crisis just as the fixture schedule gets very hectic for Liverpool.

Though Joe Gomez performed admirably in the win over Manchester City in his absence, with Jarell Quansah also appearing off the bench to see out the result, Slot’s defensive options are dwindling. Trent Alexander-Arnold has only just returned from a hamstring problem, and the injury to Kostas Tsimikas appears serious.

As such, bringing in a new defender should be the priority if any recruitment in January is to be done. Though it may be a challenge mid-season, bringing in a versatile defender who can also adapt to his new environment immediately is certainly preferable.

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Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is certainly an option, though not quite fitting both of those categories. Given the fact that making marquee additions is quite hard in January, signing someone like Kristoffer Ajer, who can play across the entire back four, could be an astute addition.

Matthew Abbott

Liverpool, you suspect, will only make significant moves in January if an opportunity presents itself. That was their approach during the summer, which led to the signing of Federico Chiesa and an agreement for Giorgi Mamardashvili to join at the end of this season.

The Martin Zubimendi saga is one the Reds could renew for another series in the new year despite how well Ryan Gravenberch has done, mainly if either Tyler Morton or Wataru Endo departs during January. Full-back is also another potential position of concern.

That is evident now with Ibrahima Konate’s injury and the side-lining of Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas, meaning Joe Gomez is required in central areas rather than deputising out wide. Although if Trent Alexander-Arnold had not recovered in time for the Manchester City match and Gomez had to play at right-back, then Jarrell Quansah could have always come into the middle.

Another defender would ideally be available to cover in such situations, as the squad is still one player light centrally after not replacing Joel Matip. However, barring any substantial injuries to the backline, it is hard to see how much whoever that would be playing over the coming months without them limiting the already scarce opportunities for Quansah.