Waiting until the summer to fortify their squad could jeopardise Liverpool’s hopes of mount a resurgence next season. Reports suggest that Liverpool have a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ to sign Marc Guehi in the summer, but shying away from strengthening during the winter transfer window could prove a critical blunder.
Among the Liverpool squad, Ibrahima Konate’s decline has been the most apparent this season. His lack of concentration and a series of costly errors have left him a mere shadow of the force he was in last season’s title-winning defence. While his performances may not command a £100m scrutiny, Konate’s form has undeniably contributed to Liverpool’s struggles this term.
For manager Arne Slot, the issue remains the scarcity of alternatives. With five centre-backs on their roster, Virgil Van Dijk and Konate stand out, yet the obvious substitute, Joe Gomez, has been sporadically plagued by injury. Giovanni Leoni, a highly-touted teenager, joined in the summer, but is sidelined long-term; relying on a 19-year-old highlights a concerning lack of strategic foresight for the future.
Liverpool were on the brink of securing Guehi’s signature earlier this summer, acknowledging this defensive quandary. Reports suggest a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ was reached, where the England international would resist overtures from giants like Real Madrid in favour of an Anfield switch come summer.
Konate, meanwhile, seemed poised for a Bosman move to Bernabeu; however, recent whispers suggest he may extend his stay at Merseyside. Problem sorted? Not quite—with a hefty chunk of football remaining this season.
Their defensive frailties extend beyond the centre-back positions. Despite promising summer signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, neither has shone this season. Frimpong, in fact, has been utilised on the wing, with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back.
Andy Robertson still holds the title as perhaps the greatest left-back in the club’s history, yet managing his minutes is paramount as his blistering pace begins to wane. Conor Bradley offers a positive glimpse, though hasn’t entirely overshadowed the influence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool currently occupy fifth spot in the league standings; however, the competitive nature of this year’s Premier League means a run of poor results could see them slide down the table—Bournemouth serves as a cautionary tale.
While the title seems out of reach with Arsenal leading by ten points, Manchester City by eight, and Aston Villa by seven, UEFA Champions League qualification remains attainable. Liverpool are level with fourth-placed Chelsea, albeit burdened by an inferior goal difference of +3 to Chelsea’s +12. Meanwhile, Sunderland are just two points adrift, with Manchester United and Crystal Palace close on their heels. As the festive fixtures conclude, Liverpool might find themselves as low as eighth.
The congestion of fixtures, three matches in seven days at January’s start, culminating in at least nine by month-end—poses a formidable challenge. With expected victories at home to Leeds and away at Fulham, Liverpool face a daunting task against Arsenal at the Emirates. A potential FA Cup snag against Burnley may force Slot to utilise more senior players, especially following their earlier League Cup embarrassment. Trips to Marseille punctuate their Premier League outings, before concluding January with home fixtures against Newcastle and Manchester City.
Navigating through this fixture pile-up would test even the sturdiest squad, especially with challenging conditions. Liverpool’s position is precarious—should Van Dijk or Konate suffer injuries, viable replacements are scarce.
Waiting for Guehi might seem like a rational choice in a flawless world; however, this season has been anything but for Slot. Reluctance to reinforce mid-season could have severe repercussions on Liverpool’s campaign, and luring summer signings becomes trickier without the magnet of Champions League football.