“I’d be surprised" - Journalist provides update on Liverpool's transfer plans in the January window
Senior sports journalist James Pearce of The Athletic has provided an update about Liverpool's plans in the January transfer window. The reporter mentioned that he will be 'surprised' if Liverpool bring about any reinforcements in the window.
A lot of players have been injured for Liverpool, and manager Arne Slot will be keen on getting them back fit. Pearce mentioned that the likes of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Harvey Elliott could all return to action soon.
“I’d be surprised if Liverpool do much, if anything, in the January window. Slots believes he has depth in all departments and his options will be enhanced with the returns of Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Alisson,” said Pearce on The Athletic.
"There is no glaring need to do business, but that might change if injuries bite. Few clubs are willing to lose their top talent for reasonable prices midway through a season, but as we saw with the purchase of Luis Diaz from Porto in January 2022 and Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven 12 months later, Liverpool will be alert to any opportunities in the market," he added.
It has to be noted that despite being depleted with injuries, Slot has managed to take Liverpool to the top of the EPL table with 28 points to their name. One can only assume that things will get better for him after all his players return.
"Liverpool want to keep Mohamed Salah and the player is keen on staying put" - James Pearce
Pearce also spoke about the overriding question that has been on many a Liverpool supporter's mind - Mohamed Salah's contract extension. The Egyptian's current contract comes to an end in the summer of 2025.
However, the club and Salah's representatives are in talks regarding an extension, and Pearce emphatically said that the player wants to stay. However, he mentioned that if money was the only concern, Salah may go to Saudi Arabia.
"Liverpool want to keep Salah and the player is keen on staying put. It comes down to whether both parties can agree a compromise in terms of the basic salary, the bonus structure and the length of the contract," said Pearce.
"Physically, Salah is a machine and his output is remarkable, but if he wanted a significant pay rise or longer than an extra two years, then that’s a real dilemma. He can’t defy Father Time forever. If money is the overriding factor, he will go to a club in the Saudi Pro League next summer because nobody can match the wages on offer there," he added.