Liverpool Must Strike in January Transfer Window to Stay Competitive, Experts Demand
Jamie Carragher has called on Liverpool to return to the transfer market this January to acquire a centre-back—even though the Reds invested a record-breaking Premier League amount during the previous summer window.
Liverpool invested £446 million ($583.4 million at current rates) as they aimed to strengthen following their championship-winning campaign, setting new Premier League transfer records twice when bringing in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Substantial amounts were also allocated for Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni.
Nevertheless, the title holders have experienced a disappointing beginning to the current season, with a particularly troubling recent spell that has resulted in seven defeats from their previous ten matches across all competitions.
Liverpool's defensive line has been especially responsible for their poor results, and club icon Carragher believes a new centre-back must be acquired during the winter window to prevent the season from further "going off track."
"Liverpool must invest in January, they must acquire a centre-back, they should have purchased a centre-back during the summer," Carragher stated to Sky Sports. "They failed to do so, and the one centre-back they did acquire, Leoni, a promising Italian talent, appeared excellent in his appearance, a Carabao Cup match. Regrettably, he sustained an ACL injury, so we won't witness him until the following season.
"Liverpool are likely one centre-back injury away from truly derailing their campaign, so they must enter the market in January."
Fortunately for the Reds, they retain the ability to spend during the winter period despite their extensive summer reconstruction, and they could potentially finalize a transfer they came extremely close to completing on deadline day.
Marc Guéhi: The One That Got Away
Liverpool recognized the necessity to secure an experienced centre-back alongside Leoni during the summer, but their final attempts to recruit Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guéhi collapsed at the last moment. The 25-year-old had already undergone a medical examination for the Reds and recorded a goodbye message for Palace's social media channels before the deal was abandoned.
With his deal running out next summer, the England defender was expected to cost Liverpool merely £35 million, and it seems plausible that the Merseyside club will restart discussions for Guéhi this winter.
Although Eagles chairman Steve Parish appeared to dismiss a mid-season departure for the defender, recent speculation has indicated that Liverpool could be the sole club prepared to pay a transfer fee for Guéhi in January—with other clubs willing to wait until he becomes available as a free agent.
Whether a compromise can be reached between Liverpool and Palace remains uncertain, but Carragher and numerous other Reds fans will be hoping an agreement is finalized.