Liverpool's First January Signing Completely Misses the Mark on Their Most Glaring Weaknesses

Liverpool have formally completed the signing of 18-year-old forward Djylian N'Guessan, with the youngster set to arrive at the club on a permanent basis in January.

It was a rather disappointing Deadline Day for the Reds. Supporters had been anticipating attacking additions and improvements at fullback for Andoni Iraola's side, but Liverpool's only confirmed signing was Genk goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans, who won't link up with the squad until next summer.

Liverpool had been working on other deals behind the scenes, however, and have now made the N'Guessan transfer official. The Athletic reports the Reds secured the teenager's signature in a deal valued at $5.8 million (£4.3 million, €5 million).

There is a caveat, however, as Liverpool confirmed N'Guessan will be loaned out to Brest for the 2026–27 campaign, allowing the young forward time to develop further in the French top flight following two seasons in Ligue 2.

It's yet another move with long-term implications for the 20-time English champions, though it offers little benefit to the club this season.

Who Is Djylian N'Guessan?

N'Guessan is a promising young attacker whose reputation has been steadily growing in France over the past two seasons. The 18-year-old came through Saint-Etienne's youth academy before making his senior debut in January 2025.

He went on to make 13 appearances for the first team, contributing one goal along the way. At international level, N'Guessan netted nine goals in eight outings for France's U-17 side. The striker scored four times at last summer's U-17 European Championship and earned a place in the Tournament's Team of the Tournament.

N'Guessan has since featured seven times for France's U-20 side, contributing to the team's fourth-place finish at the 2025 U-20 World Cup.

The youngster operates primarily as a center forward but can also play out wide. N'Guessan possesses sharp footwork, a clean first touch, and the ability to create space for himself using his athletic frame. At international level in particular, he has demonstrated the ability to take on defenders and make smart decisions, knowing when to shoot or lay the ball off.

What N'Guessan lacks in experience he compensates for with natural ability, though he remains raw and is far from a polished product.

Liverpool Continue to Overlook Current Weaknesses

Acquiring a player with the potential to become France's next elite striker is an exciting prospect for Liverpool's future, much like the Brughmans deal. Adding N'Guessan to the club's expanding French contingent — which now includes Bradley Barcola, Hugo Ekitiké, and Jérémy Jacquet — could prove to be a shrewd long-term move for the Reds.

But what about the here and now? Liverpool have managed just five points from their opening three Premier League fixtures this season. Iraola's side settled for draws against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest before claiming their first victory over newly promoted Ipswich Town on Friday.

The team has a noticeable void on the right wing, left open by Mohamed Salah's departure over the summer. Barcola could potentially fill that role, but the France international is more effective on the left, as are Cody Gakpo, Rio Ngumoha, and Víctor Muñoz.

There are also glaring defensive concerns on both flanks. Jeremie Frimpong has struggled badly to begin the season — following an already difficult debut campaign in 2025–26 — while Milos Kerkez has offered little improvement.

Iraola was compelled to deploy Ronald Araújo at right back against Ipswich, placing more trust in the natural center back than in Frimpong. The Barcelona loanee is capable of filling the role, but he is not a long-term solution for Liverpool given his inconsistent performances and lengthy injury history.

Rather than focusing solely on the future — or perhaps alongside those pursuits — Liverpool would have been better served by bringing in the immediate reinforcements needed to give Iraola a squad genuinely capable of competing for trophies.

Instead, the new manager received a goalkeeper and a striker who won't even arrive on Merseyside until next summer.