Liverpool Set to Hold Fire in January Despite Injury Crisis, Ornstein Reveals

Liverpool's injury woes won't be solved through the January transfer window, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, despite a mounting casualty list that would test any squad's resilience.

The Merseysiders backed Arne Slot handsomely in the summer, splashing over £400m on fresh faces after he steered them to the Premier League title. Yet the campaign has stuttered into fourth place, with several new arrivals failing to deliver the goods. Throw in serious injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak, plus Conor Bradley's season-ending surgery last week, and you'd expect emergency recruitment. Not so, says Ornstein.

The Athletic scribe laid out the club's thinking on Tuesday: Liverpool 'do not intend to sign cover for Leoni or Isak in the current window, and that is likely to be the case for Bradley, as well'. The logic? Bradley should be fit for pre-season, making a permanent winter signing pointless. January's notoriously thin market makes it difficult to land proper long-term targets anyway.

Central defence is where Liverpool's real focus lies come the summer window. Despite lacking depth at the back, the club is 'among those keeping their powder dry for the next market', with Ornstein suggesting the same cautious approach may apply to Mohamed Salah's position. The Egyptian remains fully expected to see out the campaign at Anfield despite recent uncertainty, though conversations about his future beyond June 2027 could yet materialise if issues persist.

Stephane Henchoz, who knows a thing or two about Liverpool's defence, reckons Manuel Akanji could be the answer if Marc Guehi slips through their fingers. The former Reds centre-back told Hajper that while Real Madrid's pull is undeniable, a move from Crystal Palace to Anfield represents a smart career step.

"Liverpool did want to add one more centre-back. They couldn't sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, it didn't work," Henchoz explained. "But I thought it was a bit strange that they didn't maybe have a plan B or C and still be able to sign one more player."

Enter Akanji. At 30, the Manchester City man has proven his Premier League credentials despite a tricky recent season through injury. His pedigree—pace, power, intelligence, and comfort on the ball—ticks every box. Crucially, he knows English football inside out.

"When signing a player in the winter window, you need someone who can fit in and perform immediately," Henchoz said. "Akanji meets those needs. Therefore, if Liverpool cannot secure their first-choice target, Akanji would definitely be an interesting alternative."